Detectives probe protection racket as pub forced to close

Police were called to the Gardener's Arms in Gilmerton after threats where made against employees at the bar.

A member of a notorious local family and his associate were believed to be behind the attempt to extort money.

Sources say the pair are behind attempts to extort cash from other pubs in the Gilmerton area, as well as a bid to take over the drug trade in cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.

The pair are believed to be trying to gain control of drug supplies in Gilmerton, Craigmillar and Niddrie by threatening other dealers.

Detectives would not reveal whether they were investigating other pubs being targeted by the gang's protection racket as their inquiry continues.

The pub only reopened on Monday after officers spent the weekend advising its management on security precautions.

Concerns remain that the pub could come under attack after the matter was reported to police.

Officers appealed to anyone who witnesses anything suspicious in and around Drum Street to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "Inquiries were conducted over the weekend and the premises was closed during this time while officers discussed a number of security arrangements with management.

"The pub has since re-opened. However, we will continue to monitor the area and would urge anyone who notices anything suspicious in or around Drum Street to contact police immediately."

The two gang members who carried out the extortion bid at the Gardener's Arms are believed to be trying to cement their dominance in the area following the demise of a rival drug gang.

Mark Richardson, 23, the leader of an Inch-based gang linked to a string of shootings, was jailed for ten years last month after he was caught red-handed by officers as he prepared to flood the city with highly-addictive crack cocaine.

He was caught processing 700,000 worth of the drug in a kitchen when police raided a flat in Ferniehill Road.

Richardson's gang was placed under a massive police surveillance operation lasting 18 months, which has so far brought 66 arrests and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack worth 2 million.

The two Gilmerton gangsters are said to be growing increasingly confident now their rivals have been taken off the streets. A local resident said: "They're big lads and they've been throwing their weight around again. Everyone's hoping the police put them away soon."