Johannes Natland, 19, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder at the Old Bailey after a retrial. The court heard he was recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group backed by the Iranian regime, to carry out a killing in the UK. The intended target has not been identified.
Arrest in Huddersfield hotel
Natland was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on March 19, 2025, two days after arriving at Manchester Airport on an emergency passport. Police found a bag containing a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and 19 rounds of ammunition under his bed. He pleaded guilty to possession of the firearms and ammunition but denied the conspiracy charge.
Bodycam footage showed armed police knocking on his door at 5.15am. Natland emerged wearing only boxer shorts and rubbing his eyes. He imitated holding a gun and pretended to shoot an officer, then smiled and asked in Norwegian, "That was fun, like." He told Border Force he had come with £40 to visit friends he knew online from playing Fortnite and FIFA.
Investigation and international cooperation
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: "Due to the swift and professional work of CTP London officers, supported by officers from West Yorkshire Police and CTP North East, Natland was arrested before he was able to carry out a murder in the UK. This investigation highlights the importance of the strong links with our international law enforcement partners to counter the very real threat of criminal organisations across European borders. We’ve worked particularly closely with colleagues from Norwegian law enforcement authorities and as a result, we have stopped somebody from being assassinated here in the UK. Our investigation, which remains ongoing, has also resulted in two lethal weapons and ammunition being taken out of criminal hands and off the streets of the UK which has undoubtedly made the public safer."
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson said Natland was "recruited" by the Foxtrot Network, which Europol has described as offering "violence-as-a-service." The network has been sanctioned by the UK government.
Ongoing probes
A Counter Terrorism Police investigation continues. In September 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and later released under investigation. Two men, aged 30 and 27, were arrested in Bradford on May 20 on suspicion of handling stolen goods and released on bail.
