Third arrest after ‘murder bid' on pal of jailed gangland kingpin Mark Richardson
COP CRACKDOWN Third arrest after 'murder bid' on pal of jailed gangland kingpin Mark Richardson
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TWO men have been arrested in connection with two firebombings and an attempted murder, as police continue to investigate Scotland's turf wars.
This brings the total number of arrests to 52 as officers crack down on the escalating gang feud across the central belt.
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An arrest has been made in connection with a Land Rover being set alight in Edinburgh
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Another man has also been nicked over an alleged murder bid in the capital city
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David McMillan, pictured, is a close pal of Mark Richardson
Credit: The Sun
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Motors and associates of caged crime boss Mark Richardson have been targeted
Credit: The Sun Glasgow
Cops working under Operation Portaledge nicked a 49-year-old man in connection with an alleged murder bid.
Yesterday morning, officers executed a warrant at a property in Blantyre and apprehended the man.
The latest arrest is in connection with a machete kill bid on David McMillan carried out by mobsters on Friday, May 22.
Sources previously said McMillan - a close pal of caged crime kingpin Richardson - was left seriously injured after being set upon by four or five men outside his home on Pitcairn Grove.
It is the third arrest officers have made in connection with the attack on the 54-year-old.
The man has also been arrested and charged in connection with drug offences.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court sometime on Monday.
Police have also confirmed that a 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in connection with alleged wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Edinburgh.
Vehicles were set alight at two different locations in the capital city in the early hours of the morning on Monday, June 9.
Emergency services raced to Niddrie Marischal Crescent after receiving reports that a white Ford Transit van was firebombed.
Fresh twist in Scotland's deadly gang war as 'Lyons' driver ambushed in brutal machete attack
Five minutes later, police were called to another blaze on Campion Road.
The alarm was raised after a plush Range Rover was set alight.
The luxury SUV was thought to be parked outside the home of an associate of crime kingpin, Mark Richardson, 38, who is currently locked up at HMP Low Moss.
Police were then called to another blaze on Niddrie Marischal Crescent minutes later.
This is the second arrest that officers have made in connection with this alleged incident.
The man has been released pending further enquiries.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "A further two 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."
Last week we told how Chief Constable Jo Farrell laid down the gauntlet to crime figures hiding out in Dubai.
She warned hoods "We are coming for you" and insisted the force is working with other crime-fighting agencies to bring suspects home as part of the ongoing probe into organised crime.
Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill and a group known as Tamo Junto have been targeting associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Daniel clan.
However, Ms Farrell insists criminals operating from foreign lands remain firmly on the policing radar.
She said: "We're working closely with the Crown Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to see if we can get those people back from those countries.
"These aren't fast processes, but we're working with the authorities there and the NCA have individuals in those countries.
"That's our link in and we're working very closely with them.'
Yesterday we told how godfather Eddie Lyons Snr said a final farewell to murdered son Eddie Jnr who was laid to rest with lifelong Lyons gang pal Ross Monaghan.
The 67-year-old was surrounded by security heavies as he arrived with loved-ones for the joint funeral of two of Scotland's most notorious crime kingpins.
Lyons, 46, and Monaghan, 43, were given a final send-off on Friday afternoon - one month after they were gunned down in a Spanish boozer amid Scotland's raging turf wars.
The solemn occasion came days after we revealed authorities in Spain had handed over the pair's bodies to relatives for repatriation.
Hundreds of friends, family and underworld figures gathered at Bishopbriggs Crematorium in north Glasgow to show respect to Monaghan and Lyons Jnr - brother of Dubai-based mob boss Steven Lyons, 44.
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Forensic officers at a house in Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on May 23
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