Gangster who wanted to 'flood Scotland with lethal drugs' jailed for seven years
The crime boss was described as one of the UK’s most wanted criminals
A gangster behind a scheme to import more than £1 million of cocaine into Scotland has been jailed for over seven years.
William Byrne was previously described as one of the UK’s most wanted men for his involvement in organised crime and drug offences.
The 41-year-old was arrested and extradited from Portugal in October last year after a joint operation between the National Crime Agency, Police Scotland and police forces abroad.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday after pleading guilty to being involved in serious and organised crime at the court on April 15.
He faces seven years and four months in prison.
Police Scotland Detective Chief Inspector, Laura Sands, said: “I hope this sentencing sends a message to those involved in serious and organised crime and drugs that you will be caught and you will face the consequences.
“Byrne’s involvement in this type of crime spanned across Europe and we worked with international partners, alongside law enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad, to ensure Byrne could be held accountable for his leading part in a sophisticated criminal enterprise, bringing drugs into our country with no regard for the harm and misery they cause.
“There is no place for this type of criminality in our communities and we will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle this and make our communities safer.”
Alan O’Brien, Branch Commander for the NCA in Scotland, said: “William Byrne is a dangerous criminal, working internationally with the aim of flooding Scotland with lethal drugs.
“The NCA worked closely with our law enforcement colleagues overseas and Police Scotland to track Byrne down and return him to the UK to face justice for his crimes.
“We will continue to work with partners to protect the public from serious and organised criminals like Byrne who cause harm to our local communities.”