Norwegian man convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in UK

A Norwegian man who travelled to the UK to carry out an assassination has been convicted of a conspiracy to commit murder after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, aged 19, was arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield in March last year and he was found to be in possession of two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition.

The teenager had been tasked by an organised crime group called the Foxtrot Network, which has been sanctioned by the UK government and has also been linked to carrying out criminal activity on behalf of the Iranian regime .

Although the target of the murder plot has never been identified, CTP London officers uncovered a significant amount of evidence demonstrating that Natland was fully aware he was being asked to kill someone in the UK.

He was found guilty of the conspiracy to commit murder after a two-week trial at the Old Bailey, having already admitted offences relating to the possession of the guns and ammunition.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP 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.”

Natland was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield in the early hours of 19 March 2025 after arriving at Manchester Airport two days earlier.

A bag containing two firearms, a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver and 19 bullets, was found inside a plastic bag under his bed.

CTP London detectives analysed CCTV from the airport and the hotel, which established he had travelled in a taxi to a wooded area of Huddersfield where he had picked up the firearms.

Messages found on his phone showed he had been given exact instructions, including maps, pictures and videos, of where the ‘hide’ containing the bag of guns was located.

Further analysis of his digital communications by CTP London officers, revealed he had received messages on social media while he was in Norway asking him to carry out a shooting in the UK. A payment of 25,000 Euros was suggested.

Natland was given instructions as to which flight to board to the UK and what to do when he arrived by someone with the username ‘Agent 47’.

Agent 47 gave Natland the directions to an address in Huddersfield where he picked up some money. He then gave him the name of a hotel to book a room.

Throughout his time in the UK, Natland was also sending messages to his friends back in Norway including pictures of the guns.

He was asked by a friend if he had ‘tested the weapons’ and replied: “Hell no. They will be tested on the guy.”

Giving evidence, Natland claimed that he was not intending to carry out the assassination but was instead intending to ‘shoot himself in the foot’, as a way to avoid repercussions if he refused the mission. However, after hearing the evidence throughout the trial, the jury found him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

Natland, 19 (07.03.07) of Norway, who previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey in October.

The CTP London investigation remains ongoing.

In September 2025, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has subsequently been released under investigation.

Two men, aged 30 and 27, were arrested in Bradford on 20 May on suspicion of handling stolen goods (a car). They were taken into custody before being released on bail.