Man in hospital and two suspects arrested after gang war 'slashing' in East Lothian

A man has been taken to hospital, and two suspects have been arrested after an alleged gang war-linked slashing in East Lothian.

Emergency services were called to Drummohr Avenue in Musselburgh at around 11.15pm on Monday following reports of a bladed weapon attack.

A 31-year-old man, believed to have been slashed, was taken to hospital.

Police have arrested two men, aged 38 and 43, in connection with the incident.

Operation Portaledge detectives, which was launched to tackle an organised crime feud in 2025, are involved with the ongoing investigation.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.15pm on Monday, April 6, 2026, officers received a report of a serious assault on Drummohr Avenue, Musselburgh.

“A 31-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Two men, aged 38 and 43, were arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.”

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.

Lyons has since been apprehended in Bali as part of a Spanish-led operation, while Larwood is on the run in the Indonesian holiday destination.

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.