Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested

Arrest of Steven Lyons and Network Disruption

Spanish authorities claim they have successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking network connected to the Lyons family. A statement from the country’s Civil Guard revealed that Steven Lyons, a prominent Scottish criminal, was captured in the Netherlands following his deportation from Bali on Tuesday. The 45-year-old, originally from Glasgow, arrived in Indonesia from Singapore on 28 March before being detained.

The Civil Guard confirmed that 14 individuals linked to the Lyons organisation were arrested across four nations, with 20 more under scrutiny. A spokesperson for the force noted that Lyons is expected to reach Spain in two to three weeks, though delays could occur if he resists extradition. His arrest followed an Interpol Red Notice, which was issued alongside the detention of his wife, Amanda, in Dubai on the same day.

“We will not allow Indonesian territory, especially Bali, to become a haven or base of operations for international criminals,” stated Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, regarding Lyons’ deportation.

Operation Armorum and International Collaboration

As part of Operation Armorum, Spanish police executed 18 raids in the past week, targeting areas like the Costa Del Sol and Barcelona. The operation also led to the discovery and freezing of significant assets in Turkey, which were tied to the Lyons network. Electronic devices, substantial cash reserves, company records, luxury timepieces, and cryptocurrency wallets were confiscated.

The Civil Guard, which operates alongside Spain’s other national police force, the National Police, described the Lyons gang as having established a vast criminal infrastructure spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The network is said to rely on shell companies and financial transactions to launder millions of euros from drug deals.

Background and Criminal History

Steven Lyons, head of the Lyons group, has been embroiled in a long-standing rivalry with the Daniel gang for over two decades. In 2006, he survived a shooting at a Lambhill garage in Glasgow, with his cousin losing his life in the attack. After relocating to Spain, he eventually settled in Dubai, where he maintains ties to the Kinahan crime group.

His brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and associate Ross Monaghan were fatally shot in a Fuengirola bar last May. Spanish police allege that Michael Riley, a 44-year-old from Liverpool, is responsible for the murders. Riley had initially opposed extradition but later granted consent to face charges in Spain. The investigation into the killings has not found direct links to the ongoing gang conflict or Scottish planning, according to Police Scotland.