Crime gang member jailed after being traced to Spain

A fugitive supergang member from Lanarkshire caught after being traced in Spain has been jailed for four and a half years.

34.year old Joseph Lindsay was held as part of the huge Operation Escalade police probe last December.

The crime mob has been branded the “most sophisticated” encountered by the authorities for their dealings in drugs, guns, serious violence and dirty money.

Twelve members have already been locked up for a total of more than 100 years.

Lindsay was back in the dock today after he pled guilty to concealing and disguising criminal property for the gang.

A judge heard how a total of £95,010 was found in a tub in a hidden compartment of a lorry.

Lindsay's DNA was found on elastic bands wrapped around the cash.

Lord Beckett today told him: “You were involved in the organised crime group disrupted by the police in Operation Escalade.

“Your activities were integral to the workings of the group.”

Lindsay, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, was traced by Spanish police in Tenerife.

A European Arrest Warrant had earlier been issued to find the dad.

He had become a suspect after a raid at an industrial unit in 2017.

Tubs found at the premises in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, were later analysed.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel told an earlier hearing: “DNA matching that of Jospeh Lindsay was recovered from elastic bands which were wrapped around the money.”

The way it was packaged and labelled was “similar to the method” used to bundle other cash haul by the crime crew.

Miss Dalziel added Lindsay had also been clocked with other gang members.

Lindsay's QC Brian McConnachie today/yesterday said: “He was effectively turning a blind eye in truth to what was going on. At the time, he was at a low ebb.”

Lindsay faces a further hearing next month to see whether he will also be hit with a Serious Crime Prevention Order.