Scots cops have launched a fresh appeal to help trace fugitive brothers who are accused of heading Scotland's biggest and richest crime organisation.
James and Barry Gillespie are being hunted by police in Brazil, after disappearing two years ago, with fears they may have been murdered while on the run in South America.
More than 200 specialist police officers , including elite Colombian detectives, were previously hunting the pair, who were previously dubbed 'the Pablo Escobar brothers'.
The latest appeal from Police Scotland is part of Operation Escalade, which has seen 42 people convicted for offences including being involved in serious and organised crime, the supply and possession of drugs, firearms offences and money laundering.
Eight fugitives connected to the group’s criminality in this country have been arrested on international warrants in Europe and South America with the co-operation of law enforcement partners in the UK and abroad and extradited back to Scotland to face justice.
Officers have been in contact with the Gillespie brothers’ family and have intimated that it is possible that they may have come to harm abroad. It is feared the pair were executed by cartel bosses while hiding out in Brazil.
Detective Inspector Michael Lochrie of Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “Despite previous appeals, which have focussed on The Netherlands and Brazil, we are still appealing for anyone who has information about the current whereabouts of James and Barry Gillespie to get in touch with Police Scotland.
“The dedicated team of officers attached to Operation Escalade have been successfully targeting those involved in serious organised crime domestically and internationally for nine years.
“A number of the arrests made were only possible due to the support of international law enforcement agencies abroad. This co-operation remains ongoing and I am grateful for the assistance of our colleagues.”
Anyone with information about James and Barry Gillespie should contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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