Gun and bullets discovered in wooded area as part of crime gang investigation

A gun and bullets have been discovered in a wooded area in Edinburgh as part of an investigation into criminal gangs.

Specialist officers searched a wooded area near Niddrie Mains Road on Thursday and discovered the firearm.

The weapon and ammunition are due to undergo forensic testing to determine whether they have been used by criminals.

The recovery is part of ongoing investigations into serious and organised crime across the central belt of Scotland and was made close to the scene of a shooting which ignited a gang war.

Nicky Robertson discharged three shots from a Glock handgun into the window of a property on nearby Niddrie Marischal Crescent on March 20 last year.

The 39-year-old admitted culpably and recklessly firing three rounds of live ammunition through a ground-floor window when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh in January. He was jailed for nine years.

Detective chief inspector George Calder said: “This recovery will be a significant blow to organised crime groups, I have no doubt this firearm would have been used in violence, which would have resulted in serious injury, or worse.

“I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target those involved in organised crime and demonstrates our commitment to dismantling these groups.

“The public may not always see what we are doing but rest assured a significant level of work is ongoing to disrupt these criminal networks. We are never complacent when it comes to serious organised crime.

“We continue to work closely with our colleagues in partner agencies and the public, sharing information, resources and intelligence in stamping out this illegal activity.

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

Operation Portaledge

Police Scotland’s Operation Portaledge was launched to crack down on serious organised crime after a gang feud spanning the central belt ignited in March 2025.

Homes have been shot at, businesses torched, properties invaded, and machete attacks have taken place over the last year amid escalating violence between the feuding organisations.

In September, four Scots, Steven Lyons, Ross McGill, Stephen Jamieson and Steven Larwood, were allegedly taken into custody by Dubai police as part of the large-scale investigation.

Jamieson was extradited to Scotland, where he faces a total of six charges, including directing someone to commit a serious offence.

Jailed cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson has also been linked to the case, with a group named TMJ issuing a bounty, offering a reward for a violent attack on the Scottish drug lord.

The special task force has arrested a total of 63 people in connection with the organised crime war.