Police Scotland has arrested six more suspects in a sweeping offensive against serious organised crime, bringing the total number of arrests to 32.
The high-stakes raids, conducted across Glasgow and North Lanarkshire, are part of Operation Silhouette — a major campaign to dismantle violent crime networks responsible for fuelling Scotland’s drug crisis and community violence.
Firearms Teams Back Raids on Suspected Gang Strongholds
Detectives from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, supported by armed officers, hit properties in Barlanark, Maryhill, Hamiltonhill, Milton of Campsie and Wishaw.
Police seized Class B drugs and £46,000 in cash, underlining the scale and financial reach of the criminal enterprises targeted.
Who Was Arrested?
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Two men (26 & 31) in Glasgow, charged with conspiracy to murder and directing organised crime
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One man (36) – conspiracy to murder
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One man (26) – drug offences
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One man (57) – proceeds of crime charges
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One man (42) in Wishaw – serious organised crime involvement
A Message from Police Scotland
Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said:
“These arrests continue to highlight the hard work and dedication of our officers. We are sending a clear message: organised crime has no place in our communities.”
He urged the public to assist with ongoing investigations by sharing information.
Inside Operation Silhouette
Since its launch, Operation Silhouette has:
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Made 36 arrests
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Seized 116kg of cocaine, 140kg of cannabis, and over £1.5 million in cash
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Targeted more than a dozen suspected gang networks across East and West Scotland
It operates under Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy, in coordination with the National Crime Agency and the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh.
Community Voices & Rising Tensions
Residents and social media users reacted strongly online.
One X (formerly Twitter) post read:
“Finally! Glad to see Police Scotland cracking down on these gangs.”
Another warned:
“Still not safe to walk in parts of Glasgow. More needs to be done.”
The crackdown comes amid rising concerns following recent firebomb attacks that injured a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy.
Drug Crisis Still Looms
Scotland’s drug-related death toll remains the highest in Europe, with 589 suspected fatalities recorded in early 2024 alone. Health experts warn that enforcement alone isn’t enough — calling for stronger addiction support and rehabilitation programmes.
Fighting Crime, Funding Youth
Under Scotland’s CashBack for Communities scheme, assets seized from criminals are being redirected to youth programmes and education projects — part of a long-term effort to prevent future gang recruitment.
