Steven Lyons Arrested in Bali
Steven Lyons, recognized as one of Scotland's most prominent gangland figures, has been apprehended by Spanish police on the Indonesian island of Bali, according to BBC Scotland News. This arrest is part of a broader law enforcement operation targeting serious organized crime.
Earlier reports this month indicated that Lyons had been detained in Bahrain, five months after his release from custody in Dubai. The recent arrest follows coordinated police actions in Scotland and Spain, involving simultaneous pre-dawn raids conducted on Friday after a two-year investigation into organized crime activities.
The operation was executed in collaboration with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and focused on alleged members of the Lyons crime group, which is considered Scotland's dominant criminal organization. The raids resulted in 13 arrests across multiple locations.
Background on the Lyons Crime Group
Steven Lyons leads the Lyons crime group, which has been engaged in a violent feud with the rival Daniel clan for over two decades. BBC Scotland News reports that the arrest in Bali was carried out by officers from the Guardia Civil.
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated:
"We are aware of the arrest of a Scottish nominal in Bali and we are working closely with European partners."
In 2006, Lyons survived a shooting incident at a garage in Lambhill, north Glasgow, which resulted in the death of his cousin, Michael Lyons. Subsequently, Lyons relocated to Spain before settling in Dubai.
Recent Violent Incidents Linked to the Lyons Group
In May of last year, Steven Lyons' brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and Ross Monaghan were fatally shot in a beachfront bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. Both men had spent the evening watching the Champions League final before being targeted by a lone gunman.
Michael Riley, aged 44 from Liverpool, has been charged by Spanish authorities with the murders. Riley initially contested extradition but consented in October to be transferred to Spain for prosecution, as confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Following the double shooting, a Spanish National Police detective indicated that the suspect was affiliated with the rival Glasgow-based Daniel gang. However, Police Scotland has stated there is no evidence linking these murders in Spain to the ongoing gang war or suggesting the attack was planned in Scotland.
Details of the Joint Scottish-Spanish Operation
The coordinated operation on Friday targeted properties in Bellshill, Glasgow, Gartcosh, Whitburn, Caldercruix, Cumbernauld, Coatbridge, Barcelona, and the Malaga area. The raids led to eight arrests in Scotland and five in Spain.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder told BBC Scotland News that the investigation is examining alleged high-level involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
"This day of action has been the result of over two years of investigative work that's been carried out diligently by officers not only here, but by other agencies, including the National Crime Agency and the Guardia Civil.
We have got a number of officers over in Spain, assisting the Spanish authorities with their inquiries.
We're sharing intelligence, information and resources."
The operation was supported by Europol and law enforcement officers from the Netherlands, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.
In Türkiye, authorities seized two plots of land and a villa valued at approximately €600,000 (£520,000), as well as shares in a company. Europol also reported that statements were taken from four Turkish citizens acting as witnesses.
