Spanish cops seize over 100 torture photos at apartment used by Kinahan-linked Lyons gang members

Spanish cops seize over 100 torture photos at apartment used by Kinahan-linked Lyons gang members Spanish authorities have seized more than 100 photographs depicting torture from an apartment linked to members of the Lyons crime gang, which has established ties to the Irish Kinahan cartel. The discovery was made during a raid conducted as part of Operation Armorum, an ongoing investigation targeting organized crime networks operating across multiple countries. The apartment, located in Spain, was identified as a site used by individuals associated with the Lyons group. During the search, law enforcement officials recovered numerous digital and printed images showing acts of physical abuse and torture. Investigators believe the materials may be connected to internal gang discipline, intimidation tactics, or retaliatory violence within the broader criminal network. Operation Armorum, led by Spain’s Civil Guard in collaboration with Police Scotland and international partners, has been active for three years. It focuses on dismantling transnational organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and violence. To date, the operation has resulted in multiple arrests across Spain, Scotland, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, with additional individuals placed under investigation. The Lyons gang, headed by Steven Lyons, has been linked to the Kinahan cartel through financial and operational alliances. Steven Lyons, a 45-year-old Scottish national, was arrested in the Netherlands in March 2026 after being deported from Bali. He is suspected of involvement in laundering more than €30 million derived from criminal activities. His arrest followed a period of residence in Dubai, where he reportedly maintained ties to the Kinahan network. Spanish authorities have previously stated that the Lyons network in Spain operated through a complex system of shell companies and international financial transactions. The group’s ability to function across borders—particularly in Spain, the UAE, and Turkey—has been cited as a key factor in its prominence within European organized crime. The seizure of torture-related imagery adds a new dimension to the investigation, suggesting possible employ of extreme violence as a tool of control within the gang. Civil Guard officials have not released specific details about the victims depicted in the photos or the exact circumstances under which the images were created. However, they confirmed that the materials are being analyzed as part of the broader evidence collection effort. No further information regarding charges directly tied to the seized photographs has been made public at this time. Investigators continue to process evidence from the raid, and additional legal actions may follow as the operation progresses. Spanish law enforcement emphasized its commitment to dismantling criminal enterprises that threaten public safety through violence, corruption, and illicit finance.