Gerard McTaggart, who delivered wages to gangland figures, died in HMP Edinburgh. He was serving a sentence for organized crime.
McTaggart delivered money to gang members and gave wages to their families. In 2023, he received a prison sentence of four years and eight months after admitting to organized crime involvement.
The Scottish Prison Service confirmed his death and stated that they routinely investigate such incidents. Consequently, a fatal accident inquiry will be conducted as standard procedure.
Police Scotland’s investigation of McTaggart’s group was part of Operation Escalade, which targeted high-level organized crime across Scotland. This operation stemmed from the COPFS in August 2023.
McTaggart, a Glasgow resident, met with crime associates between May and October 2019. Watched by police, he carried bags and visited gang-linked locations twenty-one times as part of a money laundering scheme.
Police arrested McTaggart in Glasgow in October 2019. At the time of his arrest, he had a bag containing £14,575 in cash.
Kenny Donnelly stated that McTaggart delivered wages to the families of significant criminals, thereby aiding their money laundering operations. Donnelly further emphasized McTaggart’s importance to the group.
He added that money laundering enables large-scale crime. Prosecuting individuals like McTaggart sends a strong signal about the commitment to stopping organized crime.
The SPS website also confirmed McTaggart’s death, noting it occurred on February 4, 2025. Police Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal were notified of his death.