Tag: organised crime

Sixth man sentenced for involvement in county lines drug network

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today in connection with the supply of controlled drugs.

He is the sixth man to be sentenced as part of Operation Galvanize after officers targeted addresses in Edinburgh and London in a county lines operation on Tuesday, 5th September, 2024.

Imer Quashi has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for his involvement in a county lines drug supply network within the city of Edinburgh known as the ‘Tommy’ line.

Several men were employed in this criminal enterprise delivering drugs to locations throughout the city.

Detective Sergeant Mark Walker said: “This group delivered drugs on demand and didn’t care that their packages were destroying lives and impacting on families and the local community, all they cared about was profit.

“There is no doubt that the disruption of this group had a significant impact on cocaine supply in Edinburgh and we remain committed to disrupting and destroying drug supply chains wherever we find them.

“Operation Galvanize was a cross-border operation which illustrated the benefit of close partnership working and sharing information. This collaborative working reassures the public we are in this together to dismantle the criminal gangs.”

If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Organised crime feud: More arrests

TWO further arrests have been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country. This brings the total number of arrests to 52.

On Thursday, 3 July, 2025, police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with wilful fire-raising to two vehicles on Campion Road and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on 9 June, 2025. He was released pending further enquiries. This is the second arrest in connection with this incident.

On Friday, 4 July, 2025, around 9.50am, officers executed a warrant in Blantyre and arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with an attempted murder in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh on Friday 22 May, 2025. This is the third arrest in connection with this incident.

The 49-year-old has also been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 7 July, 2025.

Six men convicted following serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian

Six men have been convicted following a number of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July, 2025, following a trial which lasted seven weeks.

They were convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The violence involved in each of these cases is completely unacceptable.

“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.

“Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.

“I would like to thank them, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.

“These convictions show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.

“I want to make 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.”

Operation Portaledge: Two further arrests brings total up to 50

A 50th arrest has been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raisings which occurred at three properties on Pitcairn Grove, Prestonfield Crescent and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on Thursday, 17 April.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 27 June, 2025.

Earlier today police announced that a further arrest was made in connection with the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country, bringing the total to 49.

A 17-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to two wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh during the early hours of Monday, 9 June, 2025, in Niddrie Marischal Crescent and Campion Road.

The 17-year-old was arrested on Tuesday (24 June, 2025). He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Operation Portaledge: More arrests

A further three men have been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

These arrests bring the total so far to 47.

On Monday, 16 June, 2025, officers arrested and charged two men, aged 26 and 20, in connection with the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 22 May.

They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 17 June.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with outstanding warrants after officers attended at a property in the Muirhouse Drive area around 6pm on Sunday, 15 June. He was also charged in connection with a wilful fire at a premises in Albert Street in Edinburgh on Thursday, 6 March.

He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

Officers from local divisions and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Further to these arrests, we have also recovered a vehicle and a firearm, both of which are believed to have been used in recent incidents.

“This activity highlights our continued commitment to tackling organised crime and we are following a number of positive lines of enquiry.

“We still require further support from local communities as our investigation progresses. If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Two more arrests in connection with violent incidents in the East and West

Officers investigating the violent incidents in the East and West of the country have made two further arrests, bringing the total to 44.

Following the recovery of a firearm in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, a 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 13 June.

Officers also executed warrants this morning at addresses in South Queensferry and Edinburgh.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising of a vehicle on Peacocktail Close in Edinburgh on Friday, 16 May. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

A 21-year-old man has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Glasgow and one in Shotts in April.

A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Our continued activity and arrests show our commitment to targeting organised crime and bringing those responsible to justice.

“We continue to investigate and follow a number of positive lines of enquiry. The support and response from the public has been excellent, and I am grateful for the assistance given to us and that continued support from local communities is crucial as we progress our enquiries.

“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Firearm recovered on Roseburn Path

Investigation into violent crime incidents continues

POLICE officers carrying out enquiries in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh have recovered a firearm.

The weapon was found around 11am yesterday – Wednesday, 11 June – as part of Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “A number of weapons have now been recovered as part of this operation.

“I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target organised crime.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who knows something that could assist with our investigation to please contact to us.

“Anyone with information relating to these incidents should speak to Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Another arrest in central belt organised crime gangs feud

A further arrest has been made as detectives continue to investigate a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland, bringing the total to 42.

Officers executed a warrant at an address in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday, 29 May, 2025.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a house on Drumchapel Road, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 13 May. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 May. 

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. 

Over the course of the investigation so far, more than 8,000 homes have been visited and more than 1,600 vehicles have been stopped, as officers continue to gather information.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “I want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice. 

“We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime. 

“The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far. 

“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Police make further arrests in organised crime feud

Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland have arrested four men in connection with fire-raising at properties in Edinburgh and Lanarkshire.

Officers executed warrants at addresses in Edinburgh, Whitburn and Bathgate yesterday morning (Friday, 23 May, 2025).

The men, three aged 18 and one aged 31, have been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a house on Pitcairn Grove on Thursday, 8 May.

One of the 18-year-olds, along with the 31-year-old man, have also been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a business premises on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps on the same date.

They are all expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 26 May.

Also, in the past week a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with two attempted murders and a fire-raising in Glasgow and Bishopbriggs in April.

These are being treated as part of a series of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland and a total of 41 people have now been arrested.

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated team of officers from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice.

“We continue to work tirelessly and are following a number of positive lines of enquiry

“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to again thank the public for their continued help and information so far.

“If you know anything about these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Man seriously assaulted in Greenbank

Detectives are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted in Edinburgh. 

Around 9.20pm last night (Thursday, 22 May, 2025), police received a report a man had been attacked by a group of males on Pitcairn Grove. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital where he remains. 

Four or five men, all dressed in dark coloured clothing and wearing balaclavas, got out a grey-coloured Land Rover Discovery and attacked the 54-year-old. 

Officers are treating the incident as attempted murder and linked to several incidents which have been ongoing in the east and west of the country. 

Enquiries carried out so far have established the Land Rover Discovery travelled eastbound along the M8 and officers are appealing to any road users on the M8 last night to contact them. 

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “This has been a targeted attack and we are continuing our enquiries to identify those responsible. 

“We know the Land Rover Discovery drove along the M8 eastbound last night. It may have been driven at speed or erratically so I would appeal to any motorists with dash cams to check their footage as the images could be significant to our investigation. 

“If anyone has any information regarding this crime, please contact us.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3866 of Thursday, 22 May, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can remain anonymous.