Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel, one of Scotland's most prominent organised crime figures, was arrested during an early morning police raid at his home in north Glasgow on Wednesday.
Daniel is believed to lead the notorious Daniel crime family, which has been locked in a violent 25-year feud with the rival Lyons family. His arrest came as part of Operation Venetic, a major UK-wide investigation targeting serious organised crime groups that use encrypted communications devices.
Officers from multiple police stations were briefed before dawn and formed a convoy to Daniel's property. Two uniformed officers initially approached the house and spoke to him through a first-floor window. After a police dog handler moved into position, Daniel emerged through the front door and was placed into a police van. A second man, Steven Gordon, was arrested simultaneously in a related operation.
The scale of Operation Venetic
Operation Venetic represents one of the most significant law enforcement actions against organised crime in recent years. The investigation began in 2020 when the National Crime Agency penetrated a secret communications network used by criminal gangs across Europe. The Scottish arm of the operation, which is a Europe-wide investigation targeting organised crime groups using encrypted devices, has resulted in over 60 arrests since 2020.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Ferry stated:
The chief constable has made it clear that those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime will be brought to justice. This enforcement action underlines that commitment. We will continue to take strong action and to use every tool and tactic available to relentlessly pursue those involved in serious criminality who seek to profit from the harm and misery they cause to communities in Scotland.
The scale of sentencing handed down to those convicted under Operation Venetic underscores the severity of the investigation. According to Police Scotland, almost 350 years behind bars had been handed down to people sentenced under Operation Venetic by June 2026.
The Daniel-Lyons feud and its context
The arrest of Steven Daniel marks a significant development in one of Scotland's longest-running gang conflicts. The Daniel and Lyons families have been engaged in a violent struggle spanning a quarter-century, with the feud intensifying following the death of Jamie Daniel, the family patriarch, from cancer in 2016. Steven Daniel subsequently became a leading figure within the family's criminal operations.
Daniel himself has been a target of violence within the feud. In May 2017, he was attacked following a 100mph car chase through Glasgow, sustaining serious facial injuries. reported that the attack involved a machete and meat cleaver, leaving his jaw detached and his nose nearly severed. Five men were subsequently charged with attempting to murder him in connection with that assault.
The rival Lyons family has also faced significant law enforcement action. Steven Lyons, a leading figure in that organisation, was arrested in Bali and extradited to Spain, where he faces charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and an alleged 2024 murder. His partner, Amanda Lyons, was arrested in Dubai as part of a joint police operation spanning Scotland, Spain, and Bali.
Recent organised crime convictions
The arrest of Steven Daniel follows a series of major convictions related to organised crime in Glasgow. In June 2026, five men pleaded guilty to involvement in a £4 million cocaine and money laundering operation. Police discovered a drug laboratory and seized substantial quantities of cash and cocaine during extensive raids connected to that investigation.
The end of a feud?
According to analysis published by a national news outlet on 1 August 2026, the Daniel-Lyons feud may finally be over, with both families now facing significant law enforcement pressure. The arrest of Steven Daniel, combined with the extradition and prosecution of Steven Lyons, represents the culmination of years of investigation into the criminal activities of both organisations.
