Norwegian Teen Convicted Over UK Contract Killing Plot Linked to Swedish Gang
A 19-year-old Norwegian has been convicted of conspiracy to murder after travelling to the United Kingdom to carry out a contract killing allegedly organised by the Sweden-based Foxtrot Network, a notorious organised crime group with links to multiple murders across Scandinavia.
Johannes Kongsnes Natland was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey following a retrial. Jurors deliberated for more than 17 hours before returning a unanimous verdict. He now faces a mandatory life sentence and is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Prosecutors told the court that Natland travelled from Stavanger, Norway, to Manchester in March 2025 after agreeing to carry out the killing for £21,600. They said he neither knew the intended victim nor the motive behind the planned murder, but accepted the assignment to earn money and impress his girlfriend.
The court heard that Natland was recruited by a 17-year-old associate known as “Generalen”, who was later convicted in Norway for his involvement in gang-related killings and for facilitating the planned attack in England. Prosecutors said the teenager was acting on behalf of the Foxtrot Network.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Natland continued with the mission even after learning that his recruiter had been arrested. Acting on instructions from an English-speaking handler identified only as “Agent 47”, he travelled to Huddersfield after arriving at Manchester Airport, where he collected two firearms, ammunition, £2,000 in cash and a stolen vehicle allegedly intended for the attack.
Armed police officers arrested Natland at a hotel in Huddersfield before the planned shooting could take place. Officers recovered a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, 12 rounds of live ammunition, gloves and cash from his hotel room.
The prosecution also relied on messages Natland sent before his arrest, including communications in which he allegedly told his girlfriend he was embarking on a “crazy mission” and expected to be paid to kill someone.
Although Natland admitted possessing the firearms and ammunition, he denied conspiring to commit murder. He claimed he initially believed the plot was a scam before becoming trapped by the criminal network and told the court he intended to shoot himself in the foot to avoid carrying out the killing, fearing gang reprisals if he withdrew.
Prosecutors rejected his defence, arguing that he repeatedly lied during the investigation and only claimed he acted out of fear during the trial. Prosecutor Alistair Richardson described him as “a troubled but dangerous young man” who agreed to kill for financial gain in a foreign country.
The court also heard that Natland attempted to persuade his girlfriend not to testify while making telephone calls from prison.
Authorities said the identity and whereabouts of the alleged handler known as “Agent 47” remain unknown, while Norwegian investigators continue to pursue other suspects connected to the conspiracy.
