Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested
Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested
Spanish authorities have dismantled a drug trafficking network led by members of the Lyons family, with the gang’s leader apprehended in the Netherlands. Steven Lyons, a 45-year-old crime boss from Glasgow, was captured in Indonesia following his deportation from Bali on Tuesday. He was detained on 28 March after arriving from Singapore.
Civil Guard details the operation
The Spanish Civil Guard announced that the Lyons organization has been dismantled, resulting in 14 arrests across four nations and 20 individuals under scrutiny. A spokesperson for the force indicated Lyons is expected to reach Spain within two to three weeks, though the timeline may extend if he resists extradition.
“We will not allow Indonesian territory, especially Bali, to become a haven or base of operations for international criminals.”
Lyons was subject to an Interpol Red Notice, and his wife, Amanda, was arrested in Dubai on the same day. The arrests were part of Operation Armorum, which also led to the discovery and freezing of significant assets in Turkey connected to the Lyons network.
Operation scope and seized evidence
The operation included 18 raids over the past week, focusing on regions such as the Costa Del Sol and Barcelona. Seized items comprised electronic devices, substantial cash, company records, luxury watches, and cryptocurrency wallets. This follows a three-year joint investigation with Police Scotland.
The statement highlighted that the Lyons gang has established a criminal network spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, featuring a sophisticated money laundering system through shell companies and international financial transactions, managing millions in drug-related proceeds. The gang’s ability to function across multiple countries—including Spain, the UAE, and Turkey—alongside partnerships with other major criminal organizations, has established the clan as a key player in European organized crime.
Lyons’ criminal history and migration
Steven Lyons, head of the Lyons group, has been engaged in a prolonged rivalry with the Daniel gang for over two decades. In 2006, he survived a shooting at a Lambhill garage in Glasgow, while his cousin was killed. He later relocated to Spain before settling in Dubai, where he is associated with the Kinahan crime group.
His brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and associate Ross Monaghan were fatally shot in a Fuengirola beachfront bar in May. Michael Riley, 44, from Liverpool, is accused of the murders by Spanish police. Riley initially opposed extradition but ultimately consented in October to be transferred to Spain for trial. Police Scotland clarified that the killings in Spain are not connected to the ongoing gang conflict or planned in Scotland.
