Nine alleged members of Lyons crime gang appear in court after international probe

Nine alleged members of the Lyons crime gang have appeared in court after an "extensive" police probe into serious and organised crime in Scotland.

Liam Boyle, Colin Greechan, Michael McKenna, Craig McQuiggan, Ross Cameron, John McMenemy and Paul Reid appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court this afternoon.

Peter Hetherington and Scott Lawlor appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after being detained by Police Scotland officers.

The suspects were arrested during a series of raids by specialist detectives from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism unit on Friday.

Five arrests were also made in Spain in connection with the probe, which saw officers attending properties in Glasgow, Bellshill, Cumbernauld, Gartcosh, Caldercruix, Coatbridge and East Whitburn.

Boyle, 45, of Bellshill, was released on bail after being charged with committing five different offences.

He made no plea to three charges of drug dealing, directing others to commit serious offences, and concealing, disguising, converting and transferring criminal property.

Greechan, 64, of Whitburn, was bailed after being charged with one count of agreeing to become involved in serious organised crime.

McKenna, of Coatbridge, faces seven charges - five charges of being involved in the supply of controlled drugs, and two serious organised crime offences.

The 35-year-old is accused of directing others to become involved in serious organised crime, and agreeing to become involved with others and was also granted bail.

McQuiggan is also accused of seven offences - the same serious organised crime charges as McKenna, and five charges of drug dealing, and the 45-year-old was also bailed.

Glasgow man Cameron also faces charges of agreeing to become involved in serious organised crime and directing others to commit offences.

And the 39-year-old was bailed after also facing three drug dealing charges, all brought under Section 4(3)(B) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

McMenemy, of Cumbernauld, faces five charges - three drug dealing raps and two serious organised crime offences.

Prosecutors allege the 41-year-old directed others agreed to become involved in serious organised crime and concealed, disguised, converted and transferred criminal property.

Reid faces three drug dealing charges and claims of directing others to commit serious offences and agreeing to become involved in organised crime.

The 46-year-old is also accused of concealing, converting, disguising and transferring criminal property and smuggling contraband items into jail.

Hetherington, 39, of Glasgow, was bailed after facing three charges - two drug dealing raps and agreeing to become involved in serious organised crime.

Lawlor, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, was remanded in custody after being charged with four offences.

The 38-year-old faces two charges of conspiracy, one of assault to injury and one of agreeing to become involved in serious organised crime.

The cases against all nine men were continued for prosecutors to investigate further and no future court dates have been set.

Detective Chief Inspector George Calder, from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism unit, said on Friday: “Today's operation is the result of extensive investigatory work over a number of years and we will continue to utilise detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland as our efforts continues.

“I hope this day of action makes it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“Enforcement action is just one area of our work and we will continue to use every tool and tactic available to relentlessly pursue anyone involved in serious criminality.

“We continue to work closely with our colleagues in partner agencies, including the National Crime Agency and the Guardia Civil, by sharing information, resources and intelligence in stamping out illegal activity.

“This is in line with our commitment to achieving the aim and vision of Scotland's Serious Organised Crime Strategy Taskforce.”

Anyone with information about serious and organised crime is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.