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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Kris Gourlay

Armed police scour Midlothian town during hunt for escaped gangster prisoner

Armed police scouring a Midlothian town on Friday night were hunting for missing prisoner Sean McGovern who is believed to be in the area.

The dangerous drug dealer, who absconded from Castle Huntly on Sunday, June 11, has connections with Edinburgh and the Lothians after being caged in 2008 for firing a shotgun outside a capital pub.

He received six years for the offence and ten for running a heroin empire in the capital. Police have issued several appeals to the public for help in tracing McGovern, but have warned locals not to approach him.

READ MORE: 'Edinburgh's Princes Street is a disgrace - we are fed up'

On Friday, June 16, armed officers, as well as the force helicopter, were spotted searching parts of Bonnyrigg, with police saying their presence was in relation to an ongoing investigation.

Officers have since confirmed that the search was in relation to missing prisoner McGovern, but he was not traced and their search to track him down remains ongoing.

The Rosewell Road area of Bonnyrigg was crawling with police with half a dozen vans and cars seen on either side of the road. Armed officers were also seen scouring local garages and out-buildings looking for the 39-year-old.

Yesterday we reported how officers were seen on the busy road entering the town and outside Lasswade Rugby Club. Drone images have also captured armed officers searching the local area before leaving a short time later.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed to Edinburgh Live the search was in relation to Sean McGovern, however, he was not traced and remains missing.

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