Episode 1002: Violence for hire - the international gangs using young men to do their dirty work
Europol are warning that violence as a service is being increasingly used by criminal gangs who exploit young people to avoid detection and prosecution.
Criminal gangs are using an Uber-style network of young men to outsource murder and violence key to the survival of their networks.
Now, Europol are warning that violence as a service is being increasingly used by criminal gangs who exploit young people to avoid detection and prosecution.
Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about grooming young killers and enforcers.
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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Moment rioter's attempt to shoot bazooka-style firework at PSNI backfires
We were told the converted firework is capable of firing up to 40 tracer rounds in a matter of seconds. This is the moment a rioter fired a Bazooka-style firework at police during another night of violence in northern Ireland. But he only succeeded in flooring many of his mates - because his home-made weapon was facing the wrong way! Dozens of loyalists faced down riot squad police outside Robinson's Bar in the Edgarstown district of Portadown in Co Armagh on Friday night. And a serious accident was narrowly averted when a masked man wearing a grey-coloured tack suit pulled the trigger on his hand-held device, causing dozens of fellow rioters to race for cover for fear of being hit or badly burned. Onlookers screamed in horror as molten metal and red hot sparks rained down on them from above. We were told the converted firework is capable of firing up to 40 tracer rounds in a matter of seconds. Footage of the shocking incident But the would-be Bazooka warrior pictured here, was totally oblivious to the carnage he left in his wake, as he continued to race at police lines. An eye-witness, who lives opposite the pub told us: 'If it wasn't so serious, it would have been funny. 'One man running at the police with a 40 shot firework cleared the street quicker than the riot squad. But he didn't realise it was back to front and his pals were falling like nine pins.' he said. Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025 In a statement the PSNI said: 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland came under attack during a fifth consecutive night of disorder which has resulted in more arrests and officers injured. Over sixty officers have now been injured as a result of protecting the community from the ongoing disorder this week. Disorder and violence broke out in Portadown with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown at them. Officers used various public order tactics including water canon to keep the public safe with no reports of injury to the public or damage to property.' The spokesperson said two males, aged 14 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remained in custody this evening. Footage of the shocking incident 'Police in Derry/Londonderry dealt with disorder in the Tullyally area over the course of several hours on Friday night, 13 June into this morning, Saturday 14 June. A police vehicle was damaged, with the front window smashed. Police made one arrest at around 2.20am. This male remains in custody at this time. Damage was caused to playing fields and property in the Killeavey Road area of Newry as a large group set a pitch and bins on fire. One 14-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of riot.' Stones were thrown at the windows of a hotel in the Newtownabbey area and a car was set on fire in the Hesketh Gardens area of Belfast, which we are treating a racially motivated hate crime." Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: 'It's deeply disturbing to see such young members of our communities involved in and in some areas driving criminal activity like this. 'I would appeal directly to parents and guardians to speak to your children about the impact their behaviour is having on the safety of our local communities and the impact this could have on their lives if arrested, charged and prosecuted. 'We continue to have a heightened presence in our local communities to de-escalate violence and we are making arrests and will continue to make public appeals with photos of suspects. Do you want your child, family member or friend directly associated with this disorder in this way? These actions are not without serious consequence. 'I am so grateful to our frontline officers who continue to put themselves at risk in protecting everyone from this hate motivated criminality. 'To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing. We have an ongoing physical and online presence.' He said police have already released images of four individuals they want to identify and interview in connection with the investigation. 'In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward,' he said. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website. 'It is important to know over the remainder of this weekend the public will continue to see a large policing presence across Northern Ireland to reassure our communities and protect our streets. This will include the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland. These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues. "We repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days." Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island star jailed for 14 years over role in ‘Amazon-style' drugs cartel which flooded UK with narcotics
A LOVE Island star has been jailed for 14 years for her crucial role in a multi-million pound "Amazon-style" drug smuggling operation. Magdalena Sadlo, nicknamed Barbie, helped transport hundreds of kilos of cocaine across the world for a major cartel based in the Middle East. Advertisement 6 Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring Credit: Polsat / Love Island 6 The Love Island contestant acted as the business brain for the cartel Credit: Supplied 6 She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to the UK Credit: Polsat / Love Island The 30-year-old, who appeared in the 2021 series of Love Island in her native Poland, was working in hospitality in Dubai whilst helping to flood UK streets with "eye-opening" amounts of drugs. Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo, of Bracknell, Berkshire, was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring. Their operation was so slick that some investigators compared it to Amazon. She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to Advertisement Read more News Prosecuting, Tim Evans told how the international cartel could not have operated at the level it did without Sadlo's "efficiency". He said: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels. "She updates who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved. "She is very much part of the inner circle… and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Breaking "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in. "No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." While based in the UK, she operated as a drugs courier, often collecting cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich in Essex. Drugs experts believe she moved 300kg of cocaine across seven trips, including 33kg of cocaine to Greater Manchester on one date alone. Advertisement Love Island star, 29, caught smuggling COCAINE on flight from Dubai as part of £53MILLION drug ring The drugs were stored in safe houses in the Manchester area before being distributed to dealers over several months using BMWs . She then helped launder the proceeds by investing in designer clothes and luxury watches including a £130,000 Patek Philippe and a £30,000 Rolex. Detectives held Sadlo when she landed at Heathrow Airport on February 13 last year, having flown Emirates first class from Dubai. She was caught carrying luxury watches, bracelets and rings, and a 'crime CV' boasting her business acumen and qualifications. Advertisement Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her "Barbie" nickname. In one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' Sadlo was due to have been sentenced in April after admitting conspiring to supply drugs and to launder money. 6 Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her 'Barbie' nickname Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Advertisement 6 Detectives held Sadlo (left) when she landed at Heathrow Airport in February last year Credit: Polsat / Love Island But sentencing was adjourned after insisting she played only a minor role as a £1,000-a-month personal assistant. Finally sentencing her to 14 years yesterday, Judge Nicholas Barker said that Sadlo was "central" to the organisation. He added: "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you. Advertisement "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at top." Thirteen members of the gang have already been jailed for up to 20 years each. 6 Judge Nicholas Barker said that Sadlo was 'central' to the organisation Credit: Linkedin Advertisement
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Shocking moment passenger hurls herself out of moving Uber to avoid paying £1.40 fare
THIS is the shocking moment a passenger threw herself out of a moving taxi 'to avoid paying the £1.40 fare'. Baffling CCTV footage shows how the back door was wide open as the Uber travelled down the road. 6 A grab shows the passenger throwing herself out of a moving Uber Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria 6 But the driver was going too fast for her to land steadily on her feet Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria 6 To avoid paying 1.40 fare Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria The customer could be seen trying to ease herself out of the But the driver was going too fast for her to land steadily on her feet. She tumbled onto the tarmac, rolled over, and skidded to a stop moments later. She then picked herself up and hobbled off as a passing biker stopped to ask if she was okay. The bizarre scenes unfolded on 3 June in Itapetininga, west of São Paulo, The On the way to the destination in the city centre, the passenger gave a different name from the one the ride had been booked under. She added that she did not have the cash, prompting the driver to tell her they would have to go to the police to sort the matter out. Most read in The US Sun En route to the police station, the passenger opened the door and jumped out of the moving car. The taxi driver - according to her testimony - stopped, got out, and tried to talk to the passenger. The woman allegedly told her she would pay the fare - £1.38 (10.40 BRL) - via a transfer later on and asked for her account details. A local media source told 6 On the way to the destination in the city centre, the passenger gave a different name from the one the ride had been booked under Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria 6 She added that she did not have the cash, prompting the driver to tell her they would have to go to the police to sort the matter out Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria 6 The taxi driver - according to her testimony - stopped, got out, and tried to talk to the passenger Credit: Jam Press/Itap� Ordin�ria
