Homes in Scotland and Spain raided amid joint gang-busting operation

Homes in Scotland and Spain have been raided as part of a joint gang-busting operation on Friday morning.

Police executed warrants at addresses in Glasgow, Bellshill, Cumbernauld, Gartcosh, Caldercruix, Coatbridge and East Whitburn as part of a pre-planned day of action targeting serious and organised crime.

Officers have arrested eight men, aged 64, 46, 45, 45, 41, 39, 39 and 35, in connection with gang related offences.

One of the men, aged 39, is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court, and the other seven men are due to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The operation, which is not linked to the ongoing criminal feud in Scotland, was coordinated with the Spanish Guardia Civil, who raided addresses in Spain and arrested five further people linked to the Scottish gang.

The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation confirmed that the group is suspected of running a prolific criminal network involved in the transport of large quantities of drugs, including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, into Scotland.

They say the gang, which has senior figures based in Spain and the UAE, is suspected of international drug trafficking.

From the profits of the drug trafficking, an international money laundering network was established involving several million euros feeding back into their criminal enterprise.

The joint-operation between the national authorities began in May 2024 at Eurojust, with the support of Europol.

Over the proceeding two years authorities combed through large datasets to coordinate the investigations that led to the arrests on Friday.

Europol deployed officers to both Spain and Scotland as part of the major operation.

Detective Chief Inspector George Calder, from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism unit, said: “Today’s operation is the result of extensive investigatory work over a number of years and we will continue to utilise detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland as our efforts continues.

“I hope this day of action makes 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.

“Enforcement action is just one area of our work and we will continue to use every tool and tactic available to relentlessly pursue anyone involved in serious criminality.

“We continue to work closely with our colleagues in partner agencies, including the National Crime Agency and the Guardia Civil, by sharing information, resources and intelligence in stamping out illegal activity.

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

The National Crime Agency has confirmed it supported the major investigation.

An NCA spokesperson said: “The National Crime Agency has supported this operational activity through our international liaison network, sharing information and intelligence as required with partner agencies.

“We will continue to work with our national and international law enforcement colleagues to ensure anyone involved in serious and organised crime is located and brought to justice” .