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<\/p>\nThe Glasgow hardman vanished after the shotgun murder of pub worker Thomas Cameron in 2007.<\/p>\n
20:00, 14 May 2026<\/p>\n
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Derek “Deco” Ferguson<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s most wanted man<\/a> Derek \u201cDeco\u201d Ferguson had his left ear bitten off in a savage street brawl.<\/p>\n The 5’3ft hardman lost the tip of his ear during a violent fight years before the notorious Auchinairn Tavern murder that sent him on the run.<\/p>\n Original police mugshots show the gruesome injury – which became a distinctive feature used during public appeals to track him down.<\/p>\n Underworld sources claim his torn lug also became part of Ferguson\u2019s feared reputation as he rose through the city\u2019s gangland ranks.<\/a><\/p>\n He fled Scotland after barman Tam Cameron, 49, was shot dead outside the Auchinairn Tarvern, in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, in 2007. Fellow suspect Billy Bates was found dead in the Clyde weeks after the murder.<\/p>\n Detectives believe Cameron was lured into the tavern car park before being executed at point-blank range following a minor dispute linked to organised crime figures.<\/p>\n Most Wanted. Derek “Deco” Ferguson(Image: PA)<\/p>\n Before police could arrest him, Ferguson fled Scotland \u2014 with reports claiming he escaped hidden in the boot of a car before surfacing among expat gangsters on Spain\u2019s Costa del Sol.<\/p>\n An international warrant is in place for Ferguson’s arrest and he remains high on the UK and Spain’s Most Wanted<\/a> list.<\/p>\n It’s been long believed by police and underworld figures that the bald Scot may have drastically altered his appearance to stay hidden. Investigators believe he may have undergone hair transplants, facial surgery and cosmetic procedures to repair the mutilated ear that once made him instantly recognisable.<\/p>\n Images show Derek Ferguson in 2007 (left) and the e-fit mages show what he may look like now.(Image: Daily Record)<\/p>\n E-fits released by in recent years along with a \u00a310,000 rewards show dramatically different versions of the ageing fugitive \u2014 including images with wigs, facial hair and a reconstructed ear. Officers also believe he may have taken elocution lessons and adopted a fake Irish accent to disguise his Glasgow roots.<\/p>\n Over the years, investigators have tracked sightings of Ferguson across Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey and the Netherlands as he allegedly hid under false identities while working for the Kinahan cartel.<\/p>\n The Record first linked the Possil-born gangster to the payroll of Irish cocaine super-cartel boss Christy Kinahan in 2015, with Ferguson believed to have operated as an enforcer in Marbella and Calahonda.<\/p>\n The UK’s most wanted fugitives(Image: NCA)<\/p>\n The Dublin born mafia boss, 69, started the lucrative global crime empire built on drugs, arms smuggling and money laundering and is said to be the richest criminal in Irish history.<\/p>\n Last month, his son Daniel Kinahan, who had become the leader of the crime group was arrested in the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n Despite high-profile appeals \u2013 including Crimestoppers\u2019 Operation Captura \u2013 Ferguson, now 62, remains at large.<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Yesterday the National Crime Agency warned expats living in Spain that Ferguson could be living amongst them in plain sight.<\/p>\n Spanish police warned the ex-pat community: \u201cThese are not the people you want in your neighbourhood.\u201d<\/p>\n He was named among the UK’s 12 most most wanted<\/a> fugitives with links to Spain.<\/p>\n![\"Most](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_Derek-McGraw-Ferguson-fugitive.jpg\")
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