Brothers James and Barry Gillespie still wanted by Police Scotland over links to organised crime

Brothers wanted in Scotland over their links to organised crime are “still at large” but may have come to harm, detectives say.

Police Scotland are continuing a nine-year operation investigating the activities of Scotland’s most prolific organised crime groups and continue to appeal for information on wanted brothers James and Barry Gillespie.

They say the brothers, originally from Rutherglen, remain at large after speaking with their family and believe it is possible the pair have come to harm abroad.

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.”

‘Operation Escalade’, launched in 2014, has seen 42 people convicted of serious offences involving serious and organised crime, supply of drugs, money laundering and firearms offences.

Eight fugitives connected to the group’s criminality in this country have been arrested on international warrants in Europe and South America and extradited back to Scotland to face justice, as a result of co-operation with law enforcement in the UK and abroad.

Most recently, officers arrested a fugitive in Brazil during an operation with the Brazilian Federal Police and another man was extradited from Italy after being arrested in Turin.

Anyone with information about James and Barry Gillespie should contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.