Crime boss Steven Lyons due in court over extradition to Spain

Crime boss Steven Lyons is due in court over his extradition to Spain from the Netherlands on Thursday.

The 45-year-old has been held in the Netherlands since being deported from Indonesia, having been arrested on arrival in Bali in March, following a major international police operation to take down a global crime gang.

He is believed to be the head of the notorious Lyons crime family based in Glasgow, which detectives say has played a significant role in the funnelling of drugs into Scotland, money laundering and outbursts of violence throughout Europe for decades.

Lyons was flown from Indonesia to Amsterdam on Wednesday, April 8.

Glasgow & West

Scottish crime boss arrested in Bali: Who is gang leader Steven Lyons?

Steven Lyons is believed to be the head of the notorious Lyons crime family based in Glasgow

Image of Steven Lyons released by Indonesian Interpol with the caption, 'European crime syndicate boss arrested in Bali'. — Image of Steven Lyons released by Indonesian Interpol with the caption, ‘European crime syndicate boss arrested in Bali’. Interpol Indonesia

Authorities want to send him to Spain to face charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering.

Spanish police said their operation “dismantled” the Lyons Clan, calling it the most violent Scottish criminal organisation of recent decades.

It follows the issuing of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) by a judge in Malaga. This is a simplified cross-border judicial surrender procedure between European Union member states.

The Guardia Civil said the investigation, dubbed Operation Armorum, has led to the arrests of 14 people in Spain, Scotland, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Glasgow & West

Spanish police dismantle ‘most violent Scottish crime gang’ in decades

The Guardia Civil said it had arrested 14 people in Spain, Scotland, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates as it took down the Lyons Clan

Additional suspects were detained in Turkey, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, including his partner, Amanda Lyons.

On Thursday, Lyons faces a surrender hearing – an “expedited system” designed to ensure individuals cannot evade justice simply by crossing an internal EU border.