Latest news with #NorthWestRegionalOrganisedCrimeUnit
BBC News
23-06-2025
- BBC News
Paedophile caught by undercover PC jailed
A "dangerous sexual predator" who "openly stated a preference for victims as young as eight" has been Mitchell thought he was messaging somebody else with a sexual interest in children but was in fact speaking to a police 57-year-old, of Leyland, Lancashire, was then arrested at his house on 17 was jailed at Preston Crown Court for six years after admitting attempting to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13. During the online exchanges, Mitchell told how he wanted to witness the abuse of a child in exchange for payment through gift cards, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said. 'Deeply disturbing' Det Con Tris Farley said following Friday's sentencing: "This case demonstrates the commitment of our regional units to identifying and prosecuting individuals who pose a serious threat to children. "Mitchell's messages exposed a deeply disturbing and calculated intent to exploit children. "He openly stated a preference for victims as young as eight years old and provided explicit instructions for what he wanted to witness online. "He is a dangerous sexual predator who now finds himself behind bars." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Lavish life of Love Island 'Barbie' unmasked as 'brains' behind £53m drug cartel
The sentencing of glamorous Magdalena Sadlo, a former Love Island star known as 'Barbie', brought an end to her lavish lifestyle as she was handed 14 years in prison A Love Island star known as "Barbie" played a critical role in a £53m drugs cartel stretching across swathes of Northern England, a court has heard. Magdalena Sadlo, famed for her stint on the Polish version of Love Island 2021, was the 'business brain' behind an elaborate drug-smuggling operation and led a lavish lifestyle before being handed a 14-year prison sentence. Earlier this month, the court heard that the 30-year-old, from Ringwood in Bracknell, Berkshire, acted as a key link between British criminals and international cartel members. Using her management skills, Sadlo prepared criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East. Her underworld nickname "Barbie" was aptly reflected in one of her brazen texts, which read: "The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder." Cartel members based in Dubai had plotted a conspiracy to ship staggering sums of cocaine into the UK, and Sadlo was brought on to help. Carlisle Crown Court heard how the gang operated a sophisticated import and sales infrastructure. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo when she landed in the UK in February of last year. Living it large, the convicted felon arrived via a first class Emirates flight from Dubai, laden with lavish trinkets including a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex and Cartier jewellery - all funded through illicit means. She even carried a CV touting her business skills. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo was responsible for collecting huge amounts of cocaine as it arrived at Harwich port. A police drug expert estimated she could have trafficked nearly 300kg of cocaine over seven trips, including a 33kg haul to Manchester. For months, she ferried the drugs across England in BMWs during "whistle-stop" tours, initially storing the cocaine in safe houses before distributing it nationwide through a network of reliable drivers to supply addicts. As the gang's financial director, Sadlo meticulously recorded millions of pounds worth of drug deals in spreadsheets, the Liverpool Echo reports. Tim Evans, prosecuting, told the court: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses, but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." In court, it was also revealed that Sadlso was "enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting," even chastising top players for not meeting her exacting standards. Police seized mobiles and laptops containing spreadsheets that revealed the gang also dealt in ketamine and cannabis. After Sadlo surrendered her PINs, officers discovered a trove of encrypted group chat messages where she and other senior criminals discussed large sums of money related to drug trafficking. On one phone, searches like "50kg cocaine June news UK" and "which countries have the death penalty for drugs" were found. Mr Evans stated: "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in." Sadlo also handled encrypted communications with high-ranking cartel members and kept detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Recovered messages included one stating: "Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders." Defence barrister Peter Corrigan said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Sadlo, from Ringwood in Bracknell, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine, as well as conspiracy to launder money. She received a 14-year prison sentence. Judge Nicholas Barker determined that Sadlo, as a courier, played a "central" role in collecting and distributing drugs. "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you," Judge Barker said. "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward," he told the defendant. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top."
Daily Record
14-06-2025
- Daily Record
Love Island star revealed as 'business brain' of drug cartel after two jailed
Magdalena Sadlo was arrested a Heathrow Airport with luxury watches worth £160,000. A Love Island star who was revealed to be the "business brain" in a £53m drugs cartel has been locked up. Magdalena Sadlo who was involved in a long-running operation spanning from Greater Manchester to Cumbria. admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money. She was jailed for 14 years. The 30-year-old nicknamed 'Barbie' used her management skills to prepare criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East and in one message recovered by police quipped: "The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder." Cartel members based in Dubai had masterminded a conspiracy to ship enormous sums of cocaine into the UK and Sadlo, star of the 2021 Polish version of Love Island, was drafted in to help, a court heard. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024. Travelling first class with Emirates from Dubai, she was carrying a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with proceeds of crime, and a CV boasting her business acumen and qualifications. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich. A police drug expert concluded she could have trafficked almost 300kg of cocaine in seven trips, including 33kg to Manchester. Over several months, she transported it around England in BMWs during 'whistle-stop' tours. Cocaine was stored initially in safe houses and then moved around the country by a team of trusted drivers for supply to addicts, reports the Manchester Evening News. Sadlo was a trusted financial director, documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets. Mr Evans said: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses, but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." Sadlo was 'enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting', the court heard, scolding major players when they did not meet her high standards. Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops with spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied. After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply. On one phone, Sadlo made web searches for '50kg cocaine June news UK' and 'which countries have the death penalty for drugs'. "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in," said Mr Evans. Defence barrister, Peter Corrigan, said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Judge Barker concluded Sadlo, as a courier, was 'central' in the collection of drugs and their onward distribution. "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you," said Judge Barker. "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward," he told the defendant. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sadlo also managed encrypted communications with senior cartel members and maintained detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Messages recovered included one saying: "Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders." Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo, NWROCU, said Operation Matrix began with the investigation of a drug dealer in Windermere, Cumbria, and led to a number of OCGs being dismantled. She said: "Operation Matrix has resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals and prison sentences totalling over 140 years. These convictions strike a significant blow to the supply of drugs across the North West and the UK as we continue to remove top-end controllers of international drug supply. "Magdalena Sadlo's arrest and conviction highlight the reach and complexity of this operation. She played a key role in managing international drug supply and laundering criminal profits, and will now face the consequences of her actions behind bars."
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Love Island star who was 'business brain' of £53m drug cartel learns her fate
Crime bosses called her 'Barbie' - Magdalena Sadlo, 30, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after using her management skills to prepare accounts for an international gang A Love Island star dubbed 'Barbie' who was the 'business brain' for a £53m drugs cartel was jailed for 14 years today. Magdalena Sadlo, 30, used her management skills to prepare criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East. She was nicknamed 'Barbie', and in one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' Cartel members based in Dubai had masterminded a conspiracy to ship enormous sums of cocaine into the UK. Sadlo, star of the 2021 Polish version of Love Island, was drafted in to help. Tim Evans, prosecuting, told Carlisle Crown Court that the gang engaged in multi-faceted illegal activity. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024. Travelling first class with Emirates from Dubai, she was carrying a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with proceeds of crime, and a CV boasting her business acumen and qualifications. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich. A police drug expert concluded she could have trafficked almost 300kg of cocaine in seven trips, including 33kg to Manchester. Over several months she transported it around England in BMWs during 'whistle-stop' tours. Cocaine was stored initially in safe houses and then moved around the country by a team of trusted drivers for supply to addicts. Sadlo was a trusted financial director, documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets. Mr Evans said: 'She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins involved... No organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role.' Sadlo was 'enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting', scolding major players when they did not meet her high standards. Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops with spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied. After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply. On one phone, Sadlo made web searches for '50kg cocaine June news UK' and 'which countries have the death penalty for drugs'. 'She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in,' said Mr Evans. Sadlo, of Bracknell, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money. Twelve men have already been handed sentences totalling more than 100 years for their role in a plot. Judge Nicholas Barker likened the illegal activity to 'unrolling a ball of wool around the world '. Defence barrister Peter Corrigan said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Judge Barker concluded Sadlo, as a courier, was 'central' in the collection of that drug and onward distribution. 'I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you,' said Judge Barker. 'You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward.' He told the defendant: 'I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top.' Sadlo also managed encrypted communications with senior cartel members and maintained detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Messages recovered included: 'Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders,' and 'Yeah finding it much better doing sit downs for an hour at a time when I can update it.' Sadlo was described as performing a managerial role within the international cartel, effectively acting as an accounts manager for the criminal enterprise. She was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), Class B drugs (cannabis and ketamine), and conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer, or remove criminal Superintendent Zoe Russo, NWROCU, said: 'Operation Matrix has resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals and prison sentences totalling over 140 years. These convictions strike a significant blow to the supply of drugs across the North West and the UK as we continue to remove top-end controllers of international drug supply.'Magdalena Sadlo's arrest and conviction highlight the reach and complexity of this operation. She played a key role in managing international drug supply and laundering criminal profits, and will now face the consequences of her actions behind bars.'We hope this investigation sends a clear message that whatever your role is in drug trafficking, we will find you, investigate you, and bring you to justice. We are committed to ridding the streets of drugs, robustly dealing with high harm offenders to reduce crime and restore trust and confidence in communities across the North West.'
Sunday World
05-06-2025
- Sunday World
Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins arrested in the Netherlands
He is wanted in the UK on charges relating to smuggling cocaine and heroin Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins has been arrested in the Netherlands. The 60-year-old, who was wanted on suspicion of trafficking drugs to the UK was nabbed by Dutch cops outside a residential property in Zandvoort on Tuesday. It comes after he spent five years on the run. He was taken into custody amid ongoing cooperation between the National Crime Agency (NCA), the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), and the Dutch National Police. Dutch National Police (Getty Images) News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 Coggins, of Huyton, Liverpool, was wanted by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit on charges related to smuggling heroin and cocaine. He appeared before a court in Amsterdam on Wednesday as extradition proceedings began. He is alleged to head up the Huyton Firm - a large-scale organised crime group involved in drug trafficking, blackmail, contract killing and violent crime. Also known as the Cantril Farm Cartel, he runs the gang alongside his brother Vincent Coggins, who was jailed for 28 years last year. The powerful drug gang rose to prominence in Merseyside following the downfall of other gangs, such as the one headed up by the notorious Curtis 'Cocky' Warren. The gang originated in a small village and grew to gain a feared reputation, commanding respect from other crooks. Their downfall came when French authorities hacked EncroChat, an encrypted messaging service used by criminal organisations to conduct their business. 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK,' Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said. 'It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU added: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. 'We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you.'
