HUNT FOR BROTHERS
Rutherglen pair are reputed drug kingpins
Police have launched a manhunt for a pair of Rutherglen-born brothers reputed to be at the summit of organised crime in Scotland.
European Arrest Warrants have been issued for James Gillespie, 45, and his younger brother Barry, 41, who are wanted “in connection with a number of offences”, by detectives from Operation Escalade, the investigation into one of the country’s “top-tier serious organised crime groups”.
Warrants have also been issued for three other men, Jordan Owen, 24, of Castlemilk, James White, 41, and Christopher Hughes, 30.
Police said all five were known to travel extensively worldwide, however their current whereabouts are unknown.
Det Supt Stephen Grant said: “Operation Escalade is an ongoing investigation into one of the country’s top-tier serious organised crime groups.
“We are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding the whereabouts of these individuals.”
A pair of Rutherglen brothers are reported to be the main players in the Scottish drug trade.
James and Barry Gillespie have been named as the bosses of the most serious organised crime network in Scotland.
The pair, who were brought up in a Rutherglen council flat, are believed to be behind a massive criminal network that stretches from Scotland to South America, and have been blamed for a string of violent attacks.
A source told the Reformer’s sister paper The Sunday Mail: “It would be hard to find a gram of cocaine in Scotland that the Gillespies have not made money from.
“Their hold on the supply chain in Scotland can’t be underestimated. They have a similar stranglehold to the so-called South American Narcos networks but they are not anywhere near the same level in terms of seriousness.
“Their drugs operation extends to heroin, cannabis and other substances.”
The Gillespie brothers have been accused of ordering shootings, slashing and stabbings – including an attempt on the life of Cambuslang man Paul McColl one year ago and a knife attack on a lawyer.
Three of their henchmen Jordan Owen, 24, from Castlemilk, James White, 41, and Christopher Hughes, 30 are wanted in connection with a number of crimes.
On Sunday, Police Scotland revealed that European arrest warrants have been issued for all five men.
They are wanted by detectives from Operation Escalade, the investigation into one of the country’s top-tier serious organised crime groups.
Detective Superintendent Stephen Grant said: “We are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding the whereabouts of these named individuals who are wanted in connection with a number of serious offences.
“Anyone with information is asked to please contact Police Scotland via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”The Gillespie brothers were based in the Algarve for about a decade but police admit that they now do not know where they are.
It is believed they fled mainland Europe and initially relocated in Brazil, where they kept in touch with their family and associates using encrypted mobiles.
Barry Gillespie, whose last known address was Johnstone Drive, and James, who lived in Stonelaw Towers, reportedly left Scotland together in 2008.
But they have allegedly continued to grow their crime empire from a luxury estate in the Algarve.
A source said: “The contrast from their humble beginnings to the life they led in Portugal could not be more marked. “They have cash, power and resources and have managed to maintain their criminal empire by remote control.”
The source added: “Over the last few years, they have become the biggest crime gang in the country with connections throughout the world.
“Some people think they have acted disproportionately and the levels of violence they’ve been responsible for have been over the top.
“That is the one thing that makes police lose their patience.
“They are quite happy to bide their time when it comes to catching drug dealers, but when guns and violence are involved, they become much more proactive.
“That is why they Gillespies have made themselves Scotland’s most wanted criminals.”