MOBSTER Mark Richardson was targeted for a prison execution after a criminal crony used fake cash in a £500k drugs deal that’s sparked gangland mayhem, it’s claimed.
Stunning details of a jail kill bid on Richardson, 37, emerged as we reveal new claims around the ill-advised cocaine con on ferocious Dubai-based mobsters.
The astonishing claims shed new light on the spark that ignited one of the biggest eruptions in gang violence in years – with powerful rival hoods pulling strings from across the globe.
We told earlier this month how Richardson was moved to Low Moss nick in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, days before the gang war erupted om the city streets.
Now sources in Edinburgh revealed a shocking plot to try to eliminate Richardson behind bars was hatched in the days leading up to his jail switch.
An insider said: “Richardson has no power left and he is in a very vulnerable position.
“Everyone in the prison is talking about it and saying his life is in danger.
“He is in isolation and protection for his own safety and he has refused to leave his cell to go into the main hall.
“The word is there is money being put up to do him.
“Some cons have tried to lure him out by pretending he’ll be okay but the minute he steps outside he’s a marked man.”
Edinburgh’s long-established mob boss Richardson is now said to be under strict isolation in jail.
Sources say the mayhem was sparked just weeks ago after two Richardson allies tried to rip off a less well-known dealer said to be an up-and-coming player with connections to top hoods.
An insider said last night: “One of Richardson’s crew went out to Dubai for a few weeks and agreed to take 16 kilos of cocaine – but didn’t pay.
“Another guy ended up paying with fake notes rather than genuine cash.
“Moves like this just aren’t tolerated. There was always going to be repercussions but I don’t think anyone would have predicted all-out war.
“They are relentless and won’t stop until they get what they want.”
We told how a new alliance of drug lords – believed to include Glasgow hood Steven ‘Jimmy’ Jamieson – is one of a number of top tier players based abroad calling the shots on a vengeful campaign triggered by the drug deal gone wrong.
They have joined forces to target his crew amid a wave of terrifying and brutal attacks across Scotland’s capital city.
We can also lift the lid on fresh claims around a Richardson crony who fled Scotland for Thailand to escape the ongoing carnage – but was tracked down and savagely attacked.
A horrifying image has emerged of the man’s right cheek hanging open after a blade was swiped across his face in one the latest examples of ruthless turf war violence.
Sources say he was tracked down in the South East Asian country by crimelords whose sinister reach spans the planet.
An insider revealed: “He is one of Richardson’s associates and he left the country to get out of the way until the dust settles.
“But this mob managed to find him and left him scarred for life after a guy slashed him across the face with a blade on Sunday.
“They will stop at nothing to get the message across to Richardson and his crew that nobody is safe.”
Another shocking act of savagery said to be linked to the spiralling violence was captured on camera inside a Scottish nick.
Two caged hoods – understood to be acting on behalf of the gang behind the takeover of Richardson’s empire – recorded themselves battering another con.
They make no attempt to hide their identities as they lure their victim into a narrow jail cell before unleashing a torrent of punches and kicks.
The pair seem to revel in the moment as they force the stricken con to say ‘F*** the Daniels” – in an obvious swipe at Richardson’s known connections to the notorious north Glasgow mob.
The minute-long beating begins after one bearded thug stares into the mobile phone camera, perched on a desk seconds before their unwitting target walks in.
He then turns as the first blow comes from one seething maniac – knocking a drink from the unsuspecting victim’s hand as he yells in shock.
One yob closes the door as the pair wade in, shouting: “Ya f*****g bam” and “You want to put motors through f*****g shop windows?”
The stricken man lays on the ground and insists: “It’s nothing to with me, bro”.
They then take the camera and point at the guy’s face, ordering him: “F**k the Daniels mob, say it now.”
The desperate prisoner pleads: “I’m no with the Daniels, f**k the Daniels.”
He’s then forced to say “F**k Tam Carberry” – another known and long-established associate of the Daniels clan through his late relative Frank Carberry – a gangland enforcer and sex offender.
The clip finishes with one of the attackers sneering: “There you f*****g go.”
The film is the latest in a wave of crimes captured on camera by hoods said to be involved in the attacks on Richardson – with orders coming from fugitive mob bosses based in the UAE.
We were first to reveal Richardson, 37, had been shipped out of Glenochil as the gang war erupted.
Mobsters are orchestrating a “full-scale takeover” of his criminal empire – with a house torched on Sunday one of many blows against the caged hood.
The brazen firebomb attack saw a masked thug launch a Molotov cocktail through the window of a family home in the rapidly escalating turf war.
An accomplice captured on video the moment the maniac strode up to the pad in Niddrie, Edinburgh, before hurling the flaming petrol bomb into it.
It is the latest terrifying twist in a weeks-long campaign of violence carried out by footsoldiers who are said to be acting under orders from Dubai-based mobsters.
Police Scotland are said to have given Richardson associates Osman warnings – intelligence-led alerts that their lives could be in danger. The mob chief was caged for nearly nine years in 2018 for having a gun as part of a crime supergang.
Another 18 months was later added to his prison time over a high-speed car chase with cops.
Cops have been poring over CCTV footage linked to the chaos and have been carrying out road and vehicle checks across the city.
Superintendent Paul Gillespie said: “We are taking strong action to disrupt this criminal activity. A lot of work, which may not always be visible, is ongoing.
“Additional officers are currently deployed to specifically target criminals and disrupt their activities.”
The spate of violence has sparked concern from politicians, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, a former crime journalist, said: “For the sake of all decent people, these parasitical drug gangs and their white-collar enablers must be subject to the full weight of the police and courts.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence and support individuals who have been affected by it.
“Incidents of criminality are reported to Police Scotland.”
