Recent photographs have been unveiled capturing the moment Steven Lyons was apprehended at Bali Airport. Bali Immigration Office released images of the Scottish criminal leader after he was intercepted upon arrival on the Indonesian island from Singapore on Saturday, March 28.
Identified through an Interpol Red Notice, the 45-year-old was described by officials as a “suspected leader of an international criminal organization.” Following his detention by officers, Lyons was transferred to police custody.
Wearing a black T-shirt and green shorts, Lyons was escorted through the airport’s duty-free area by officials, according to reports from the Daily Record. Referred to as “SL” by the immigration office, he was also pictured seated with his head in his hands while police officers stood nearby.
Another image shows officials surrounding Lyons as they present him to the camera while holding a document. Described as “suspected of being the mastermind controlling members of his network in operations involving the management of fictitious companies and money laundering,” Lyons, also known as “SL,” was the focus of the operation.
Bugie Kurniawan, the head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, emphasized, “Bali will never be a safe haven for international fugitives. The successful arrest of SL showcases the sharp instincts and extensive experience of our officers and landing officers at the Ngurah Rai Airport Terminal 1 (TPI).”
Praising the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office’s performance, Felucia Sengky Ratna, head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, stated, “This success demonstrates that the immigration surveillance system in Bali is effective, integrated, and responsive to transnational threats.”
Scottish police confirmed Lyons’ arrest on Saturday and stated that they are coordinating with partner agencies across Europe. They mentioned, “We are aware of the arrest of a Scottish individual in Bali and we are collaborating closely with European partners.”
Thirteen individuals were arrested in Scotland and Spain during dawn raids on Friday as part of a suspected drug trafficking operation following a two-year investigation.
Lyon’s recent expulsion from Dubai in September and subsequent deportation from Qatar were highlighted. The Daily Record reported that he relocated to the Gulf state after being expelled from neighboring Bahrain in February.
According to a source cited by the Daily Record, Lyons fled to Bali after exhausting his options in the Middle East.
He was quoted as saying, “Steven went there to get his head together and weigh up his options. He was hoping to find a place in the Middle East to be close to his family in Dubai. After the recent arrests, he would have been very nervous.”
Friday’s coordinated raids involved the National Crime Agency (NCA) and officers from the Netherlands and Turkey, along with authorities from Scotland and Spain.
Eight men, ranging from ages 35 to 64, were arrested at various locations in Glasgow, Bellshill, Cumbernauld, Gartcosh, Caldercruix, Coatbridge, and East Whitburn. The men are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, March 30.
Simultaneous raids conducted by Spanish officers in Malaga and Barcelona led to the arrest of five individuals, with four of them believed to be of Scottish origin.
Europol reported the seizure of a £600,000 villa and two plots of land in Turkey as part of the operation. Additionally, Eurojust revealed that a criminal network was operating in Spain and Scotland, with €7,000,000 in illicit cash uncovered in a money laundering probe.
Lyons, head of the Lyons crime gang, fled Scotland for Spain in 2006 after a violent feud with the Daniel clan resulted in an attempt on his life, reported The Daily Record. His relocation to Dubai followed the incident.
The ongoing conflict between the crime families intensified last year, with a series of retaliatory attacks reported between the factions. The violence culminated in a fatal shooting in May on the Costa Del Sol.
While Police Scotland maintained that the deaths were unrelated to the gang conflict, Spanish authorities alleged the involvement of a Daniel clan member in the double murder. An individual from Liverpool is charged with the killings.
In September, Lyons and another individual were expelled from Dubai and subsequently deported from Qatar. The latter is believed to have relocated
