Four of Scotland's most high profile gangland figures have been arrested in Dubai.
BBC Scotland News understands that Steven Lyons, Ross McGill, Stephen Jamieson and Steven Larwood were taken into custody on Tuesday.
Police Scotland believe all four are linked to criminality ranging from drug importation to a feud between rival criminal gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The dispute has resulted in a series of assaults, shootings and firebombings since March.
It is understood detectives have been sharing intelligence with police in the United Arab Emirates, where the men are all based.
It remains to be seen whether the authorities will press charges or take measures to extradite the men back to Scotland.
Detectives working on Operation Portaledge have thus far made 57 arrests related to this escalating gang violence.
The significance of these arrests cannot be underestimated as all four are linked to organized crime both in the UK and internationally.
Steven Lyons leads a notorious crime group involved in a longstanding feud with the rival Daniel clan.
The arrests follow violent events connected to this feud, including targeted shootings and assaults.
All four gang members have strong connections to a wider network of organized crime, and their arrest could have major implications in curbing the violence back in Scotland.
