Indonesia arrests Scottish man sought by Spain in connection with international crime syndicate
Indonesia arrests Scottish man sought by Spain in connection with international crime syndicate
Steven Lyons, a 45-year-old Scottish national linked to a transnational criminal group, was detained in Bali shortly after landing on the resort island, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The arrest occurred at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday, when he arrived from Singapore, according to Untung Widiyatmoko, head of Indonesia’s Interpol division.
“The immigration system flagged him as a target of a Red Notice issued by Interpol at Spain’s request,” Widiyatmoko stated. “This alert calls for the arrest of suspects for extradition purposes.”
Lyons is being sought by Spain and the United Kingdom for involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering. He will be transferred to Spain on Wednesday, as Widiyatmoko informed reporters in Denpasar, Bali’s provincial capital.
Lyons was added to Spain’s wanted list two years ago following a murder investigation in 2024. Daniel Adityajaya, Bali’s police chief, emphasized that the arrest was part of a collaborative effort between Spanish and Scottish law enforcement agencies.
“Lyons is accused of leading a criminal network that used shell companies to launder money across Europe and the Middle East,” Adityajaya said. “The investigation spans multiple countries, including Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Turkey.”
Recent raids by Spanish and Scottish police, supported by Europol and international partners such as Turkey, the Netherlands, and the UAE, resulted in several arrests tied to Lyons’ case, according to Widiyatmoko. Local Scottish media mentioned that Lyons survived a 2006 shooting in Glasgow, which killed his cousin, and later relocated to Spain before settling in Dubai.
Lyons arrived in Bali with two companions, who are thought to remain on the island, noted Bugie Kurniawan from Bali’s immigration office. Interpol in Spain has linked them to the same criminal group, though they are not currently under arrest warrants.
Last May, his brother and an associate were killed in a suspected gangland shooting at a beachfront bar in Fuengirola, southern Spain. The incident highlights Lyons’ alleged role in orchestrating violent crimes across multiple regions.
