THE fugitive mobster behind attacks on cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson’s empire has told his hoods to back off, sources say.
Insiders claim the Dubai-based ex-Rangers ultra has been spooked by police raids amid pressure from Holyrood to halt the explosive gang war.
Mark Richardson is said to be in isolation at Low Moss nick amid attacks on his associates[/caption]
Cops are raiding properties in a bid to disrupt the ongoing turf war in Edinburgh[/caption]
The former Union Bear, known as ‘Miami’, is believed to have ordered firebombings and shootings targeting Richardson’s associates in retaliation at a £500,000 drug con.
And two men appeared in court today after 7am raids by cops probing the feud on Wednesday.
National Crime Agency detectives — dubbed Britain’s FBI — are understood to be working alongside Scots officers after violence swept Edinburgh’s gangland.
It comes after First Minister John Swinney admitted he was “deeply concerned” about the turf battle.
An insider said: “The Scottish Parliament getting involved will have put pressure on Miami’s group, with the heat it will bring.
“There is police activity as well as the possibility rivals will be planning retaliation for the carnage he’s caused.
“That could explain why things have calmed down. But don’t think for a minute he’ll give up.
“He knows Richardson will be planning revenge attacks.”
Sources say Miami is shifting vast amounts of cocaine after moving into the void left by crime boss brothers James and Barry Gillespie, who are feared murdered in Brazil.
He has been linked to the sons of Dutch mafia boss Ridouan Taghi, who was jailed for life last February after a court heard he ran “a well-oiled killing machine”.
The insider said: “Miami would spend time socialising with Taghi’s sons. He’s quickly made his mark through connections to top-tier hoods in the Gillespie gang.”
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Marcus Laidley-Sobers, 28, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on March 20.
Nicky Robertson, 38, was charged over the alleged reset of a stolen vehicle.
Both made no plea and were bailed.
Richardson, 37, is in isolation at Low Moss nick, near Glasgow.
