Two of Scotland's most wanted men may have suffered harm while evading capture in Brazil, according to detectives, who have now confirmed this information for the first time.
After appearing in previous Crimestoppers appeals, James and Barry Gillespie's whereabouts have been the subject of rumors since last year.
Police Scotland, however, has since disclosed that the families of the brothers have been informed of their worries. .
Operation Escalade has had the Gillespies as a target for a while.
42 people have been found guilty of organized crime offenses, such as drug trafficking, criminal use of a firearm, and money laundering, since 2014.
Eight fugitives linked to the group's activities in Scotland have been apprehended as a result of the extensive international investigation in Europe and South America.
South Lanarkshire's Rutherglen is where the Gillespie brothers were born and raised.
Despite prior appeals, which were concentrated on The Netherlands and Brazil, Det Insp Michael Lochrie of the force's Organized Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: "We are still appealing for anyone who has information about the current whereabouts of James and Barry Gillespie to get in touch with Police Scotland.
"For nine years, the committed group of law enforcement personnel assigned to Operation Escalade has been successfully going after those responsible for serious organized crime on a national and international level.
"A number of the arrests were only made possible by the assistance of foreign law enforcement organizations operating internationally. ".
The cooperation "remains ongoing," he continued.
A fugitive was recently captured in Brazil by police during an operation with the Brazilian Federal Police.
A second man who had been detained in Turin was also extradited from Italy.
Barry and James Gillespie are wanted for questioning, and anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers or the police.
