Violent attacks have erupted across Edinburgh amid a feud between Scottish narcotic gangs.
The feud is between Mark Richardson’s Scottish cocaine gang and an unnamed actor’s (Actor A) gang. Richardson’s empire has diminished since his incarcerations in 2010 and 2018. Local outlets report that the empire is being targeted by Actor A, currently residing in the United Arab Emirates.
These attacks have occurred in various parts of the city and are targeted towards places with ties to Richardson.
The following outlines the chronology of attacks so far:
6 March – Belle Cheveux, a beauty salon in Leith, owned by Richardson’s partner, was firebombed. Two cars in the vicinity also caught ablaze.
11 March – A storage warehouse in Musselburgh was set alight and burned down. The surrounding businesses suffered damages from the fire.
16 March – A garage in Portobello was set on fire and was linked with an associate of Richardson.
20 March – A reported shooting occurred in Niddrie. Eight shots were fired in Niddrie Marischal Crescent.
21 March – Another shooting in West Pilton Bank, 8 miles away from the previous attack.
23 March – The final attack as it stands. A house on Hay Drive in Niddrie was firebombed.
Though no casualties have been caused by the attacks, they have instilled worry in the wider community.
Police Scotland has affirmed that they have collected “significant CCTV footage” in relation to the incidents.
In discussion with students at the University of Edinburgh, many were unaware that such a conflict was happening in the city.
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