A 19-year-old Norwegian footballer has been handed a 20-year prison sentence for agreeing to carry out a contract killing in the UK. Johannes Kongsnes Natland was caught with two guns and live ammunition in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, just days after arriving in the country.
The case highlights a disturbing trend of international crime gangs recruiting young, vulnerable individuals to carry out violent acts. Natland, a talented sportsman from Stavanger, flew to Manchester in March last year on a temporary passport. He was supposed to shoot an unknown target in exchange for €25,000 (£21,500). Instead, armed police intercepted him at a hotel in Huddersfield.
Caught red-handed
Officers found Natland in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, 12 rounds of live ammunition, and gloves. He had also picked up £2,000 in cash and was directed to a stolen Nissan with false number plates intended for the assassination. While hiding out at the Briar Court hotel, Natland reportedly took selfies with the weapons and cash spread out on his bed. He even bragged to his girlfriend that he had the “bangs in the bag” before police raided the room at 5:15 am.
The ‘Generalen’ connection
Court records reveal Natland was recruited by a teenage associate known as “Generalen,” who works for the Swedish Foxtrot gang. This proscribed organisation is backed by the Iranian regime and is notorious for exploiting children as young as 13 for drug smuggling and violence. Natland was controlled by an English-speaking boss called “Agent 47,” a name that appears to reference the Hitman video game franchise. The identity and current location of Agent 47 remain unknown to investigators.
“I wasn’t an assassin”
During his trial, Natland admitted to possessing the firearms but claimed he intended to shoot himself in the foot to escape the situation. He told jurors: “I wasn’t an international assassin. I thought people had this impression and expected me to be this guy. I knew I wasn’t.” His defence lawyer, Paul Hynes KC, argued that Natland had been a successful student and sportsman before becoming addicted to drugs and going “off the rails.”
However, the judge was unconvinced by the self-pity narrative. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, noted that messages sent by Natland showed “not only participation but at points excitement.” She stated: “You agreed to be the enforcer and pursued it, despite numerous opportunities to extricate yourself.” The judge concluded that without police intervention, Natland would have carried out the murder as agreed.
Natland is now serving a 20-year detention order. The case underscores the reach of transnational criminal networks and their willingness to use youth as disposable assets. Authorities are continuing to investigate the broader Foxtrot gang operations in the UK, with Agent 47 still at large.
Source: Guardian World
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: Guardian World.
