To Catch a King: 2. The Bullet Train

To Catch a King: 2. The Bullet Train

From Intrigue by BBC Radio 4

May 20, 2026 · 34 min · Season 12 · Episode 2

About this episode

Sue and Rob investigate the identity of a people smuggler linked to illegal crossings to the UK.

Gangs exert power through fear, but where are they getting weapons from? A journalist and an ex-soldier search for the identity of a people smuggler believed to be responsible for thousands of illegal crossings to the UK by small boats and lorries. They start with a false name: Kardo Ranya. A man who has evaded arrest for several years by keeping his real identity a closely guarded secret. It makes it near impossible for law enforcement agencies to issue and international arrest warrant. Sue and Rob know what he looks like from social media posts advertising his crossings and lifestyle. Their search takes them across Europe and to the Middle East, where they discover a network of powerful smugglers operating from a town in Northern Iraq. It’s two years since Sue and Rob located a gang leader in their podcast Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion and the illegal business of migrant journeys is more dangerous and ruthless than before. Their investigation reveals the inner mechanics of the smuggling trade and shows in close focus the people who currently control it as they search for a kingpin behind dangerous crossings to the UK by boat and lorry. A secret meeting, a missing person and a…

People in this episode

Host: Sue Mitchell

Topics covered

  • smuggling
  • illegal crossings
  • journalism
  • crime investigation
  • Europe
  • Middle East

Keywords

  • smuggling
  • Kardo Ranya
  • illegal crossings
  • journalism
  • Northern Iraq
  • crime
  • BBC Radio 4

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4

Places: Northern Iraq, UK

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