A MAJOR crime gang is “the most sophisticated” encountered by police in Scotland with "unprecedented" firepower in the history of organised crime.

Prosecutors revealed the full extent of the mob's dealings in drugs, firearms, violence and dirty money at the High Court on Monday.

The list of crimes included the horrific abduction and torture of a man over an unpaid cocaine debt.

There was also a shooting at the family home of a gangland figure as well as a massive arsenal of weapons found hidden in a car.

READ MORE: Nine-strong mob behind bars after large-scale police probe into violence, drugs, firearms and dirty money

David Sell, 50, Barry O'Neill, 37, Anthony Woods, 44, Francis Mulligan, 41, Michael Bowman, 30, Mark Richardson, 30, Gerard Docherty, 42, Steven McArdle, 33 and Martyn Fitzsimmons, 37 had earlier pled guilty to various charges.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said the group were caught as a result of four major investigations into serious and organised crime.

Links to the probes emerged after a large consignment of firearms were found during one operation.

Mr Prentice: “The organised crime group is the most sophisticated encountered by Police Scotland.

“Their operation centres on the importation of vast quantities of cocaine.

“Their role is as wholesalers to other organised crime groups. They are at the top of the chain in terms of drugs transactions in Scotland and the UK as a whole.”

The court heard the crew were also involved in “firearm trafficking” to “violently enforce their own operation.”

READ MORE: Nine-strong mob behind bars after large-scale police probe into violence, drugs, firearms and dirty money

The advocate depute said: “The firepower at the disposal of this crime group is unprecedented in terms of the history of organised crime in Scotland.”

For the full story, pick up your copy of tomorrow’s Evening Times.