Detectives have questioned a woman and raided homes as part of their probe into a scandal hit funeral directors.
The 55-year-old woman was yesterday arrested as part of Police Scotland’s investigation into A Milne Funeral Directors.
And as part of the inquiry, dubbed Operation Koine, officers searched residential properties and seized several ‘relevant’ items.
The undertaker is at the centre of allegations of missing ashes and financial misconduct, with yesterday’s arrest the latest development in the operation.
Dozens of urns have been returned to distraught family members after the ashes were found at the undertakers in a police search earlier this year.
A. Milne Independent Funeral Directors (pictured) is subject to a disciplinary process
A Milne Funeral Directors is the focus of Police Scotland’s Operation Koine
Former customers have also claimed they paid thousands of pounds into funeral finance plans only to discover costs which should have been covered had not been met.
One person said she was handed the wrong ashes by the firm when her mother died, and only found out it had been a complete stranger months later when she called the crematorium.
Yesterday Police Scotland revealed the latest twist in the operation.
Detective Sergeant Kieran Bewick said: ‘This is a very complex investigation which has had a big impact on those affected.
‘I would like to thank the public for their assistance so far.
‘Our inquiries into this sensitive and emotive case remain ongoing and I would encourage anyone with any information on this case to contact us.’
Police said they yesterday executed search warrants at residential properties in Springburn and Bishopbriggs.
A number of items relevant to the inquiry were seized, officers said.
As part of the inquiry, dubbed Operation Koine, officers searched residential properties and seized several ‘relevant’ items. Pictured: Police at the scene in May
A police van pictured parked outside the ex-funeral directors in Glasgow in May
And as part of Operation Koine a 55-year-old woman was arrested.
She has been released pending further inquiries.
Detectives launched the probe into A Milne after several families reported concerns over the ashes of loved ones and allegations of financial misconduct.
A Milne had two branches. Its Dumbarton office closed in 2023 while the Springburn branch, in Glasgow’s Balornock Road, closed this year.
That office became the centre of an intense police search in May, with detectives spending 12 days at the building.
A Mile described itself as an ‘independent, family owned organisation’ with one online post describing it as a ‘father and daughter business’.
In May the undertakers were permanently banned from the industry’s largest trade body.
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) removed it after a probe found allegations ‘not compatible’ with the industry’s code of conduct.
Announcing its ruling, it said: ‘The decision, made by the NAFD disciplinary committee following a hearing, stipulated that A Milne Funeral Directors will be permanently excluded from the association with immediate effect.’
The remains of at least 27 people have been removed from A Milne, with the majority being identified and returned to distraught family members.
Some relatives told how they had waited years for them to be returned.
Yesterday Mr Bewick urged those with information which can help detectives with the investigation to contact officers.
He said: ‘Anyone wishing to get in touch with officers is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1289 of May 2.’
A Milne was approached for comment.
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