A TOP cop has spoken out after a prominent member of Scotland's most serious crime gang was snared.

Gerard McTaggart, 47, was a member of an organisation which has been targeted for the past 10 years by Police Scotland’s Operation Escalade, which has so far resulted in 42 people convicted foe serious offences. 

McTaggart, from Tollcross, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today (June 23) to offences including money laundering. 

READ NEXT: Glasgow man snared under Operation Escalade

In court, Judge Lord Summers heard how elite detectives became aware that McTaggart’s role in the gang was to ‘deliver’ wages to fellow members.

He was arrested in October 2019 as part of the operation which targets serious and organised crime. 

Now, a top cop has spoken out about McTaggart's conviction, saying it should send a "clear message" to those involved in organised crime. 

Glasgow Times:

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Elliott, Organised Crime Partnership, said: "McTaggart’s conviction should send a clear message to those involved in serious organised crime that we will identify those responsible and bringing them to justice.

"Serious organised crime groups have no place in our society and Police Scotland is committed to disrupting their activity while working with partner agencies to make our communities safer.

"Anyone with concerns or information about serious organised crime is urged to contact us or Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be maintained."

McTaggart will be sentenced at a later date.