Listen to our new podcast series ‘Underworld: Behind the Scenes of the NCA’ as we unearth the murky ‘underworld’ of serious and organised crime, launched on 25 October 2023.
A decade after our formation, the National Crime Agency (NCA) is inviting you to hear first-hand how NCA specialists have used their world-leading intelligence capabilities, investigative expertise and specialist skills to bring some of the country’s most dangerous criminals to justice.
In a new podcast series ‘Underworld: Behind the Scenes of the NCA’, we’ll be unearthing the murky ‘underworld’ of serious and organised crime, with each episode focusing on a different criminal threat area and case.
From stopping the biggest haul of lethal military grade weapons ever being smuggled into the UK by boat, to arresting drug lords trafficking huge shipments of drugs, plus success stories from the Agency’s Most Wanted fugitive campaigns, listeners can hear how organised criminals were identified and relentlessly pursued by NCA officers to stop them in their tracks and put them before the courts.
Investigative journalist, Ellie Flynn, hosts the podcast and hears fascinating first-hand accounts from NCA officers involved, as well as partners from global forces, including the US Homeland Security team, journalists, and psychologists, who tell the full story of each case and uncover never-heard-before details around the pursuit of justice.
Graeme Biggar, Director General of the NCA, said: “The ten-year anniversary is a huge milestone for the Agency and launching this podcast allows us to give the public exclusive access to some of our most notorious cases over the last decade.
“Our mission is to protect the public from serious and organised crime. The threat evolves, as organised crime groups capitalise on new online opportunities, global conflict and cost of living pressures to inflict harm and evade justice. We use our world-leading intelligence and investigative capabilities to shut down serious and organised crime and help keep the UK public safe from its devastating harms.
“Hearing about these cases from our experienced officers allows us, for the first time, to show the public how we keep communities safe. The cases demonstrate how we relentlessly pursue the criminals who pose the greatest threat to people and communities in the UK, disrupting their operations and bringing them to justice.”
Episodes:
1. Episode One: The Crime Lord – 25 October release
The Crime Lord delves into the life and crimes of Robert Dawes, who trafficked huge shipments of drugs from South America to Europe. The episode will reveal how Dawes was finally arrested after an NCA investigation and a seizure of over a tonne of cocaine.
2. Episode Two: Rap Sheet From Hell – 25 October release
Rap Sheet from Hell unearths the horrifying details of one of the most prolific child sexual abusers in the UK, Matthew Falder. The podcast will involve conversations with psychologists, and the investigating officers who caught Falder after years of evading capture.
3. Episode Three: Gun Runners – 25 October release
Gun Runners goes behind the scenes of an NCA covert operation which stopped the biggest haul of lethal military grade weapons ever being smuggled into the UK by boat up the River Medway in Kent. We’ll hear from the surveillance and firearms officers on the day they arrested members of an organised crime gang – including the mastermind of the operation, Harry Shilling.
4. Episode Four: Golden Ticket – 8 November release
Golden Ticket gives a first-hand look into how we worked with Home Office HMPO to dismantle a crime group that enabled fugitives to evade justice by supplying fraudulent passports. Officers share how they used tactics, including recording devices, undercover officers, and an incredible covert baggage search at Heathrow to bring the criminals to justice.
5. Episode Five: Sunshine and Lollipops – 23 November release
How exactly was a gang ringleader caught and jailed after more than £100 million in dirty cash was smuggled into Dubai? Money laundering is one of the biggest threats to UK security, allowing dangerous, organised crime groups to fund their illegal operations and commit more crime. The episode Sunshine and Lollipops investigates how NCA officers and financial analysts hunted and caught Abdulla Alfalasi and his ring of conspirators.
6. Episode Six: Most Wanted – 6 December release
How exactly was a gang ringleader caught and jailed after more than £100 million in dirty cash was smuggled into Dubai? Money laundering is one of the biggest threats to UK security, allowing dangerous, organised crime groups to fund their illegal operations and commit more crime. The episode Sunshine and Lollipops investigates how NCA officers and financial analysts hunted and caught Abdulla Alfalasi and his ring of conspirators.
More episodes coming soon!
Episode-related support organisations
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues/topics discussed in our podcast series and would like further help or support, please explore the below organisations:
Reporting child sexual abuse
If you are concerned that a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999
Concerns of child sexual abuse should be reported to Police by calling 101
Under 18 year olds can also report online sexual abuse or grooming to the NCA's CEOP Safety Centre: www.ceop.police.uk
Support services
CrimeStoppers
Independent charity allowing information about crime to be given anonymously (in emergencies always call 999).
0800 555 111
https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Victim Support
An Independent Charity Supporting Victims Of Crime In England & Wales
08081689111
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Samaritans
Free helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
116 123 (free from any phone)
Samaritans Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day)
https://www.samaritans.org/
CEOP Education (ThinkUKnow)
The NCA’s CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
NSPCC
The UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.
For adults concerned about a child: 0808 800 5000
For children and young people (Childline): 0800 1111
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Action Fraud
National reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
0300 123 2040
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Service for adults who experienced sexual abuse as a child and would like to talk to someone about it
0808 801 0331 (weekdays only)
https://napac.org.uk/
Survivors UK
A webchat and SMS service for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives
SMS: 020 3322 1860
https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help
Stop It Now
Confidential helpline for anyone concerned about their own sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children
0808 1000 900
https://www.stopitnow.org.uk
