A Norwegian man, who travelled to the UK to commit an assassination, has been convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland was arrested at a hotel in Huddersfield in March 2025, in possession of two firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition. He had arrived at Manchester Airport two days earlier.

The 19-year-old was working for 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.

An investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London found that Natland was fully aware he was being asked to kill someone in the UK. The target of the plot has never been identified.

CCTV footage showed that he had travelled in a taxi to a wooded area of Huddersfield where he had picked up the firearms.

Messages 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. Other messages on social media asked him to carry out a shooting in the UK for a payment of 25,000 Euros

The teenager was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder after a two-week trial at the Old Bailey. He previously admitted offences relating to the possession of the guns and ammunition. He will be sentenced in October.

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.”