Scottish Gangland Figures Arrested in Dubai During Global Police Crackdown

Scottish gangland figures arrested in Dubai have sent shockwaves through law enforcement circles in the UK and beyond. In a dramatic turn of events, four of Scotland’s most notorious organized crime leaders were detained in the United Arab Emirates, marking a major breakthrough in the fight against international drug trafficking and violent gang feuds.

Who Were the Men Arrested?

The four men taken into custody were:

• Steven Lyons – widely recognized as the head of the infamous Lyons crime group.

• Ross McGill – once a leading figure in Rangers’ Union Bears ultras group, now deeply involved in gangland operations.

• Stephen Jamieson – long linked to high-level drug smuggling networks.

• Steven Larwood – known associate of Lyons, with a history of living in Spain before relocating to Dubai.

Authorities believe these individuals have been at the core of Scotland’s most violent and long-running organized crime feuds. Their arrests could signal a turning point in decades of bloody rivalries.

The Gangland Feud Behind the Violence

The backdrop to the Scottish gangland figures arrested case lies in a bitter feud between the Lyons clan and the Daniel crime family, a rivalry that has shaped Scotland’s underworld for more than two decades.

• In 2006, Steven Lyons survived a garage shooting in Lambhill, Glasgow, though his cousin Michael Lyons was killed.

• The feud has since escalated, resulting in shootings, firebombings, and brutal assaults across Glasgow and Edinburgh.

• Police launched Operation Portaledge in response to the violence, leading to 57 arrests so far.

The arrests in Dubai are now seen as one of the most significant blows yet to the power of these groups.

Dubai as a Safe Haven for Criminals

For years, Dubai has been viewed as a safe retreat for high-profile gang figures escaping the spotlight in Europe. Its luxurious lifestyle and distance from UK authorities provided a cover for organized crime leaders.

Detectives from Police Scotland have been cooperating with UAE officials, quietly sharing intelligence. However, it remains unclear whether Scotland was informed about the raids beforehand.

Whether Dubai will press charges or extradite the men back to Scotland remains to be decided. Extradition could be pursued if authorities determine that the men pose a flight risk or hold vital links to criminal operations in the UK.

A Violent Summer in Spain

The crackdown comes only months after more shocking violence struck the Lyons family.

• In May, Steven Lyons’ brother Eddie Lyons Jnr and associate Ross Monaghan were gunned down in a Costa del Sol bar after watching the Champions League final.

• Spanish police later accused Michael Riley, a Liverpool man, of carrying out the double murder.

• Authorities suspect Riley is linked to the rival Daniel gang.

Though Police Scotland insists the Costa del Sol killings are not directly tied to the Glasgow feud, the timing has deepened tensions between rival clans.

The Role of Ross McGill and Associates

Ross McGill, once known for his role in Rangers’ Union Bears ultras, has since transformed into a key figure in the criminal landscape.

• His fallout with Edinburgh dealer Mark Richardson in March sparked a surge of violence across both east and west Scotland.

• McGill’s rise highlights how younger gang figures are now assuming leadership roles as older names face arrest or death.

Stephen Jamieson, another of the Scottish gangland figures arrested, is believed to have links with Jamie “Iceman” Stevenson, the kingpin jailed in 2023 for orchestrating a £100m cocaine smuggling plot hidden in banana shipments.

Why These Arrests Matter

Experts say the significance of these arrests cannot be underestimated.

“All four are operating at the highest level of organized crime, both at a UK and international level,” a source told BBC Scotland News.

This means that dismantling their networks could impact not just local violence in Scotland, but also international drug trafficking pipelines spanning South America, mainland Europe, and the Middle East.

Next Steps: Extradition or Charges?

• Scotland now faces questions about whether the UAE will extradite the men.

• Dubai police have referred queries to the UK Embassy, which has yet to comment.

• The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed no consular assistance requests have been made so far.

The men remain in custody while negotiations unfold behind the scenes.

Wider Implications for Organized Crime

The arrests of these Scottish gangland figures underscore how global cooperation is now central to fighting organized crime. Drug smuggling and money laundering networks rarely respect borders, and Dubai’s status as a hub for expatriate crime bosses has made international policing more complex.

With more than 20 years of bloodshed between the Lyons and Daniel clans, law enforcement will be hoping this crackdown can disrupt one of the UK’s most entrenched criminal rivalries.