Latest news with #OperationPortaledge


Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's gang war 'halted as Mr Big running out of footsoldiers and lying low'
Ross McGill, who has been waging war on associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Glasgow-based Daniel clan, is believed to be 'lying low'. A gang war which has resulted in a number of shootings and firebombings across the central belt has shuddered to a halt after the crime lord behind the attacks began to 'run out of footsoldiers', according to underworld sources. Ross McGill, who has been waging war on associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Glasgow-based Daniel clan, is believed to be 'lying low'. A number of businesses, properties and cars linked to Richardson and the Daniel family have been torched during an barrage of terrifying attacks spreading across the east and west of the country since March. Those associated with Richardson have repeatedly been targeted, with vehicles torched and several homes allegedly shot at by masked gunmen. A group called Tamo Junto (TMJ) have continued to taunt their rivals by releasing videos of the attacks and threatening further violence as Dubai-based McGill seeks revenge for an underworld heist. It is claimed an associate of Richardson paid for a stash of drugs with fake notes after building a relationship with the crime lord. McGill, in retaliation, supposedly used his criminal contacts to wage war on those involved in the deal. Due to police cracking down on those involved in the gangland feud, however, it has been suggested McGill is now "lying low" after officers investigating the series of violent incidents made a total of 55 arrests. A source told Edinburgh Live McGill has been left with fewer footsoldiers to do his bidding as several weeks have passed since the last gang-related incident in the capital. They told our sister title: "Word is McGill is lying low and has taken a backseat. The Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan shootings in Spain was mental as well so things have calmed down a little after that. "From the beginning there have been more and more characters getting involved and competing to see who was the bravest basically. It has all just become so messy." It was reported earlier this month McGill was confronted by another gangster at a gym in Dubai over the heat he has brought. Stephen 'Jimmy' Jamieson is understood to have confronted McGill during the bust-up. The most recent arrest linked to the gang war, named Operation Portaledge by police, came on Friday, July 18, when a man was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and firearms offences. Jordan Steele, 38, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, July 21, in connection with the alleged firebombing of the Belle Cheveux salon in Leith on March 6. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He was charged with firearms offences, including possessing a firearm without authorisation. Steele made no plea and was granted bail. A 26-year-old male was also arrested in connection with alleged damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, 12 June, and an alleged wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, 13 June. In addition, another 26-year-old man was also charged in connection with two alleged vehicle fires in Port Seton on Sunday, May 18 - he will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.


Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Notorious Daniel clan hood Francis ‘Fraggle' Green fights back armed thugs after ambush at gated home
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANIEL clan hood Francis 'Fraggle' Green was forced to fight off attackers who targeted him at his gated house amid Scotland's raging gang wars, it's emerged. The hardman rammed his car into another motor after maniacs targeted his home in Kirkintilloch. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Francis 'Fraggle' Green fought off armed attackers during the blitz on his home Credit: The Sun Glasgow 5 He is the son of the late crime boss Jamie Daniel (pictured) 5 Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill Credit: Collect 5 Investigative journalist Livvy Haydock Credit: BBC And we can reveal Fraggle - son of late crime kingpin Jamie Daniel - is now said to be wearing a bulletproof vest over fears of further violence. Details of the motor attack emerged in the latest episode of a true crime doc charting the history of the long-running feud between Glasgow's notorious Lyons and Daniel gangs. Speaking exclusively to The Scottish Sun, investigative journo Livvy Haydock said: 'One source told us of yet another attack involving Jamie Daniel's son, Francis 'Fraggle' Green, in which a masked and armed man appeared in a van outside his gates. 'And then when the gate opens, Francis actually rams them so hard that they end up abandoning their vehicle. "So it feels like there's a lot going on.' And an insider said: 'Fraggle is no easy touch. "He'll always fight back. "But he's understandably on edge. "It's claimed he's now wearing a bulletproof vest.' The heightened tensions come amid a raging turf war that began in March when Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill began targeting associates of caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson, 38. Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson's right-hand man CAPTURED in Dubai after 5 Years on the run The carnage then spread from the capital to Glasgow where members of the notorious Daniel crew came under fire amid the worst escalation of gangland violence in years. So far Police Scotland has made 55 arrests under Operation Portaledge - a crackdown on the ongoing violence that's included firebombings and machete murder bids. Fears of worse to come had been brewing and then on Saturday, May 31, Lyons gang kingpins Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons, Jnr, 46, were shot dead in Spain, Fuengirola. Meanwhile, moves are afoot to bring one of Scotland's most wanted hoods - Stephen 'Jimmy' Jamieson - back from Dubai where he's been hiding out for years in a bid to dodge justice. A bonus episode of Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons will be available to hear on BBC Sounds from tomorrow.


Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Daily Record
Man appears in court over gangland salon fire after locals flee from torched building
Jordan Steele, 38, appeared in court charged with firearm offences after a beauty salon was torched in the gangland war. A man has appeared in court after a beauty salon was torched in a gangland f eud causing locals to have to flee their homes. Belle Cheveux, on Albert Street in Leith, burst into flames during the early hours of Thursday, March 6. It was one of the first targets in the gangland war that has been raging across Scotland in recent months. Jordan Steele, 38, of Edinburgh, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, July 21, in connection with the incident. He was charged with firearms offences, including possessing a firearm without authorisation. Steele made no plea and was granted bail. His next appearance has not yet been confirmed. Another man has previously appeared in court also in connection with the incident in June. Owen Logan, 26, was arrested in a police raid as part of Police Scotland's Operation Portaledge investigation. Logan made no plea to a single charge of wilful fire-raising and was remanded in custody. A number of incidents have since taken place in Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas in recent months, with private homes and business premises targeted. Dubai based Mr Big, Ross McGill, has been waging war on Mark Richardson's mob and the Daniel clan since March after he was ripped off in a £500,000 cocaine deal when the buyer used fake bank notes. In the most serious of incidents, there was an attempted murder of one of Richardson's top associates. David McMillan, 54, was allegedly attacked with machetes outside his house on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, May 22. Three more arrests were made by cops probing a gangland war over the weekend, bringing the total number of Operation Portaledge arrests to 55. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. As well as Steele, a 26-year-man was charged in connection with damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, June 12, and a wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, June 13. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Another 26-year-old man was charged in connection with two vehicle fires in Port Seton, which occurred on Sunday, May 18. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.


Edinburgh Reporter
19-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
More arrests by detectives investigating gangland feud
Detectives investigating the ongoing gangland feud known as Operation Portaledge have arrested a 38-year-old man, bringing the total number of arrests to 55. On Friday, 18 July, 2025, officers arrested and charged the man in connection with wilful fire-raising and firearms offences. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 21 July. In addition a 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, 12 June, and a wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, 13 June. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Another 26-year-old man was also charged in connection with two vehicle fires in Port Seton, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Like this: Like Related


Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 38, charged after home linked to Scots kingpin torched amid explosive gang war
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has been charged with allegedly shooting at a house and carrying out a petrol-bombing on another linked to caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson. The suspect, 26, faces firearms and wilful fire-raising raps over the alleged targeting of the homes including one belonging to the brother of a jailed associate of the Edinburgh drugs baron. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The home is linked to an ally of crime kingpin Mark Richardson Credit: SCOTTISH SUN 5 It is understood the property belongs to the brother of hood Michael Heeps Credit: FACEBOOK 5 Police at the scene of the alleged shooting. Credit: SCOTTISH SUN Flames were seen leaping up to the roof after an alleged attack on a property belonging to Jed Heeps, 37 — whose brother Michael Heeps was jailed earlier this month for 'out of control gangsterism'. Another man, 38, last night became the 55th to be arrested over the ongoing mob war which has seen a spat of firebombings and gun attacks and spread overseas with the murder of two kingpins in Spain. A source told The Scottish Sun: 'Police started slow but have really ramped up the pressure. 'Arresting so many people is impressive — but it's convictions that really matter. 'The problem facing police is there's an endless line of guys who are seduced by the gangster lifestyle. 'Some of them are desperate for money. 'Others want the notoriety.' Ex-Rangers ultras leader Ross 'Miami' McGill sparked the latest round of fighting when he swore revenge after being ripped off with fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal. The Tamo Junto gang boss vowed to 'exterminate' the Daniel clan, Richardson and their allies over being paid counterfeit cash. His crew claimed responsibility in sinister online videos showing a series of firebomb, gun and machete attacks on their enemies and their loved ones. 'Godfather' Eddie Lyons Snr bids farewell to gunned down son & kingpin pal at double gang funeral Detectives yesterday revealed a man, 26, has been charged in connection with damage at a property in The Inch, Edinburgh, on June 12. He also faces a wilful fire-raising rap after Heep's house 10 miles away in Tranent, East Lothian was torched the next day. Onlookers told how flames could be seen 'leaping up to the roof' with the front door left charred and its guttering snapped and melted. Another man, 26, has been charged in connection with two motor fires in nearby Port Seton in May. Police launched Operation Portaledge to tackle the violence which has spread across Scotland's central belt and overseas in the last five months. A boy of 16 and a girl, 17, are among those lifted in connection with gangland activity. Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry leads the force's Specialist Crime Division has vowed to bring all those involved to justice. He said: 'Police Scotland is taking this extremely seriously. 'We're not complacent. 'There is still lots of work to do and lots of people we're looking at who we need to also bring into custody.' Dubai-based McGill is being backed by powerful gangsters sheltering from the law in the millionaires' playground. Exiled mob leader Steven Lyons, 44, whose family has been at war with the Daniels for decades, is among those who is said to have gave his blessing to the upstart hood. He has links to the Irish Kinahan cartel which has made billions flooding Europe with cocaine and heroin but saw brother Eddie Lyons Jr, 46, and close pal Ross Monaghan, 43, murdered in a hit in May. Alleged assassin Michael Riley, 44, from Huyton, Merseyside, was arrested in connection with their deaths and is fighting extradition to Spain. Richardson henchman Michael Heeps is behind bars awaiting sentencing after being convicted of eight charges — including three attempted murders — alongside five others at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month. Earlier this month, hundreds gathered to bid farewell to Lyons Jr and Monaghan. Grieving Godfather Eddie Lyons Snr was seen at the service struggling to contain his emotion. 5 Mark Richardson Credit: SCOTTISH SUN