Raid Cops Seize 124kg Of Coke, 1.4kg Of Heroin, Guns, Ammo & £3million Cash .. In 2 Weeks

Agents swoop on haul after cracking nsuspecting clan’s secret messages

- Derek Alexander

An organised crime sting resulted in £12million of drugs and guns linked to the Lyons crime clan being seized in just two weeks.

Police intercepted more than 100kilos of cocaine, heroin, firearms and ammunition in a series of raids after an encrypted phone network was cracked.

Officers also busted a safe house being used to stash dirty money they believe belonged to the group after law enforcement managed to hack into the military-grade communications system.

Detectives say the seizures have punched a massive hole in the gang’s criminal operation, believed to be the biggest in Scotland.

It comes after agents in France and the Netherlands managed to breach security used to protect EncroChat – a Dutch-based encrypted phone network used by 10,000 criminals in the United Kingdom.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) and British police forces, including Police Scotland, were able to access messages sent between gang members – giving them unprecedented access to their plans to flood the country with Class A drugs, weapons and carry out attacks on rivals.

Over a period of just 14 days, officers seized 124kilos of cocaine and 1.4kilos of heroin – with an estimated street value of £12million – they believe was being trafficked north of the Border by the Lyons gang.

They also recovered almost £3million in cash and firearms during the crack down, codenamed Venetic. On May 17, following searches of property in Glasgow and Clydebank, around £2million was found. Two men aged 50 and 54 were arrested and charged.