Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested
Spanish authorities ‘dismantle’ Scottish drug syndicate as key figure apprehended
Spanish police have announced the dismantling of a drug trafficking syndicate linked to the Lyons family, a prominent Scottish crime group. The operation led to the arrest of Steven Lyons, a 45-year-old Glasgow-based criminal, in the Netherlands following his deportation from Bali. Lyons was taken into custody on 28 March after arriving in Indonesia from Singapore.
The Civil Guard, one of Spain’s two national law enforcement bodies, functions as a paramilitary force handling high-level security and serious crimes. In a statement, they revealed that 14 individuals were arrested across four countries, with 20 others under scrutiny. The force anticipates Lyons’ arrival in Spain within two to three weeks, though delays could occur if he resists extradition.
“We will not allow Indonesian territory, especially Bali, to become a sanctuary for international criminals,” stated Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, which facilitated Lyons’ deportation. The office confirmed his status as a “mafia boss and Interpol fugitive.”
The arrests are part of Operation Armorum, which also resulted in the seizure of assets in Turkey tied to the Lyons network. Electronic devices, substantial cash reserves, corporate paperwork, luxury timepieces, and cryptocurrency wallets were confiscated during raids. These operations spanned 18 locations in the past week, targeting areas like the Costa Del Sol and Barcelona.
The Civil Guard highlighted that the Lyons gang has established a criminal network across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This includes a sophisticated money laundering scheme involving shell companies and global financial transactions, generating millions from drug trade activities. The statement noted the gang’s ability to operate in multiple countries simultaneously, including Spain, the UAE, and Turkey, while forming alliances with other criminal groups.
Lyons, head of the Lyons group, has been embroiled in a long-standing conflict with the Daniel gang for over two decades. In 2006, he survived a shooting at a Glasgow garage, which claimed his cousin’s life. He later relocated to Spain and eventually settled in Dubai, where he is connected to the Kinahan crime group. His brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and associate Ross Monaghan were killed in a Fuengirola bar in May.
Spanish police have accused Michael Riley, a 44-year-old Liverpool resident, of the shootings. Riley initially contested extradition but granted his consent in October to be transferred to Spain for trial. A National Police detective noted Riley’s association with the rival Daniel gang, though Police Scotland has stated there is no evidence the killings are tied to the ongoing gang conflict or planned in Scotland.