End of the Fugitive Scottish Mafia Boss's Escape in Bali
The escape of a high-profile Scottish mafia boss, Steven Lyons, came to an end in Bali. The international fugitive was apprehended by authorities immediately upon landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Lyons has been on the wanted list since 2024 in connection with murder cases in Malaga and Madrid. He was officially listed on the Interpol Red Notice on 26 March 2026.
“He has been a wanted suspect of the Spanish Police for two years, following the 2024 murders in Malaga and Madrid,” said Secretary of NCB Interpol Brigadier General Pol Untung Widyatmoko at Bali Police Headquarters on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
Lyons became a target of Spanish authorities following the 2024 murder cases. His name was then added to Interpol Red Notice Number A-4908/3-2026, issued on 26 March 2026.
Apprehended After Disembarking the Plane
The arrest stemmed from information received by Indonesia’s NCB Interpol from NCB Abu Dhabi regarding Lyons’ movements towards Indonesia. The information was immediately followed up by a joint team consisting of Polri’s International Traffic Division, Bali Police, Ngurah Rai Airport Police Resort, and Ngurah Rai Immigration, who were on standby in the arrival area.
Lyons arrived in Bali on Saturday (28/3/2026) at 11:58 WITA after flying from Singapore on flight SQ-938 from Singapore to Denpasar. Upon arrival, the authorities moved in and secured the fugitive leader of the transnational criminal organisation.
“The joint team immediately secured the suspect at the location without any resistance from the individual,” said Untung.
Trail of a Global Criminal Network
According to Untung, Lyons is no ordinary perpetrator. He is a key figure in a large criminal network operating across countries, from Europe to the Middle East.
“This Red Notice fugitive is a major criminal who operates not only in Spain, Scotland, and England, but also in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Turkey for his drug trafficking,” he emphasised.
The criminal organisation he leads has bases in Scotland and Spain. The network is suspected of facilitating the smuggling of various prohibited substances into the United Kingdom and being involved in ongoing violent conflicts with a rival group called Daniels.
Part of Operation ARMORUM
Lyons’ arrest is part of Operation ARMORUM, a joint investigation between Spain’s Civil Guard’s Central Operative Unit (ECO Málaga) and Scottish Police. In operations in Europe on 27 March 2026, authorities recorded 33 arrests in Scotland and 12 in Spain.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya emphasised that the arrest demonstrates the readiness of authorities at Indonesia’s entry points. He assured that Bali is not a safe place for transnational criminals.
“We guarantee Bali’s security and assert that Bali will never be a blind spot or hiding place for transnational crime fugitives,” Daniel stated firmly.
The deportation process for Lyons is scheduled for tomorrow. Two Spanish Guardia Civil officers have arrived in Bali to coordinate for a swift and secure process.
Two Associates Also Entered Bali
Bali Police, along with Polri’s International Relations Division and Indonesia’s NCB Interpol, are still hunting two of Steven Lyons’ associates believed to be in Bali. Both are known to have arrived with Lyons.
“The individual (Steven) arrived in Bali with two associates, namely Stephen Larwood and Lewis Wang,” said NCB Interpol Secretary Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko during a press conference at Bali Police Headquarters on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
Steven is a British national arrested upon landing at Ngurah Rai Airport on Saturday (28/3). He is involved in various transnational crimes, from narcotics, money laundering, to murders in Spain.
During interrogation, Steven claimed to have come alone. “Based on the individual’s statement, Stevens came to Bali alone. He said the two others are his friends, and he wanted to holiday here with his family,” said Untung.
Although not on the Interpol Red Notice, authorities are still pursuing the two individuals. Based on information from Spanish authorities, both are part of the same criminal group.
“Based on statements from our colleagues in Spain, those two are also members of the dangerous criminal gang,” Untung added.
Police believe both are still in Bali and are continuing to monitor crossings to ensure they have not left the area.
“The two are still in Bali; we are also monitoring the crossings, and they have not left Bali,” said Untung.
“Police believe their presence in Bali has purposes other than recreation,” he continued.
Preliminary suspicions suggest the two intended to map out potential networks or connections in Indonesia. However, this plan is said not to have been realised because Steven was captured first.