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Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Lavish life of Love Island 'Barbie' unmasked as 'brains' behind £53m drug cartel
The sentencing of glamorous Magdalena Sadlo, a former Love Island star known as 'Barbie', brought an end to her lavish lifestyle as she was handed 14 years in prison A Love Island star known as "Barbie" played a critical role in a £53m drugs cartel stretching across swathes of Northern England, a court has heard. Magdalena Sadlo, famed for her stint on the Polish version of Love Island 2021, was the 'business brain' behind an elaborate drug-smuggling operation and led a lavish lifestyle before being handed a 14-year prison sentence. Earlier this month, the court heard that the 30-year-old, from Ringwood in Bracknell, Berkshire, acted as a key link between British criminals and international cartel members. Using her management skills, Sadlo prepared criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East. Her underworld nickname "Barbie" was aptly reflected in one of her brazen texts, which read: "The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder." Cartel members based in Dubai had plotted a conspiracy to ship staggering sums of cocaine into the UK, and Sadlo was brought on to help. Carlisle Crown Court heard how the gang operated a sophisticated import and sales infrastructure. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo when she landed in the UK in February of last year. Living it large, the convicted felon arrived via a first class Emirates flight from Dubai, laden with lavish trinkets including a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex and Cartier jewellery - all funded through illicit means. She even carried a CV touting her business skills. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo was responsible for collecting huge amounts of cocaine as it arrived at Harwich port. A police drug expert estimated she could have trafficked nearly 300kg of cocaine over seven trips, including a 33kg haul to Manchester. For months, she ferried the drugs across England in BMWs during "whistle-stop" tours, initially storing the cocaine in safe houses before distributing it nationwide through a network of reliable drivers to supply addicts. As the gang's financial director, Sadlo meticulously recorded millions of pounds worth of drug deals in spreadsheets, the Liverpool Echo reports. Tim Evans, prosecuting, told the court: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses, but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." In court, it was also revealed that Sadlso was "enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting," even chastising top players for not meeting her exacting standards. Police seized mobiles and laptops containing spreadsheets that revealed the gang also dealt in ketamine and cannabis. After Sadlo surrendered her PINs, officers discovered a trove of encrypted group chat messages where she and other senior criminals discussed large sums of money related to drug trafficking. On one phone, searches like "50kg cocaine June news UK" and "which countries have the death penalty for drugs" were found. Mr Evans stated: "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in." Sadlo also handled encrypted communications with high-ranking cartel members and kept detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Recovered messages included one stating: "Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders." Defence barrister Peter Corrigan said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Sadlo, from Ringwood in Bracknell, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine, as well as conspiracy to launder money. She received a 14-year prison sentence. Judge Nicholas Barker determined that Sadlo, as a courier, played a "central" role in collecting and distributing drugs. "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you," Judge Barker said. "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward," he told the defendant. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top."
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Wales Online
Love Island star unmasked as 'business brain' behind drug cartel
Love Island star unmasked as 'business brain' behind drug cartel "The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder" Magdalena Sadlo (Image: NWROCU ) A Love Island star has been unmasked as the "brains" behind a drugs cartel. Magdalena Sadlo, who starred in the Polish version of Love Island in 2021, was nicknamed "Barbie" and played a pivotal role in the cartel, which stretched across the north of England. Her sentencing hearing brought the final stages of a major probe into an extensive importation and distribution network to an end, reports the Liverpool Echo. The 30-year-old played an important role in the international arm of the conspiracy, with the defendant acting as a key link between UK-based crime groups and overseas drug cartels. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. She used her management skills to prepare criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East. In one message recovered by police, she said: "The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder." Cartel members based in Dubai had masterminded a conspiracy to ship huge amounts of cocaine into the UK. Sadlo was brought in to help. Article continues below Tim Evans, prosecuting, told Carlisle Crown Court that the gang engaged in multi-faceted illegal activity. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024. Travelling first class with Emirates from Dubai, she was carrying a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with proceeds of crime, and a CV boasting her business acumen and qualifications. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo repeatedly collected large quantities of cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich. A police drug expert concluded she could have trafficked almost 300kg of cocaine in seven trips. Over several months, she transported it around England in BMWs during "whistle-stop" tours. Cocaine was initially stored in safe houses and then moved around the country by a team of drivers for supply to addicts. Sadlo was a trusted financial director, documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets. Mr Evans said: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses, but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." Sadlo was "enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting", the court heard, scolding major players when they did not meet her high standards. Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops with spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied. After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply. On one phone, Sadlo made searches for "50kg cocaine June news UK" and "which countries have the death penalty for drugs". "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in," said Mr Evans. Sadlo also managed encrypted communications with senior cartel members and maintained detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Messages recovered included one saying: "Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders." Defence barrister, Peter Corrigan, said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Sadlo, of Ringwood in Bracknell, Berkshire, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money. She was jailed for 14 years. Judge Nicholas Barker concluded Sadlo, as a courier, was "central" in the collection of drugs and their onward distribution. "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you," said Judge Barker. "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward," he told the defendant. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top." Twelve men have already been handed sentences totalling more than 100 years for their role in a plot, smashed by police under Operation Matrix. These included two men from Wigan - Gary Gittins, 43, of Woodland Avenue, Wigan, and Mark Knowles, 41, of Prestwich Street, Atherton - who were jailed in April for their roles as the controllers of safe houses. Gitten, said police, allowed his home to be used by an organised crime group (OCG) to store and distribute approximately 175kg of cocaine, valued at £17.5m. Knowles facilitated the storage of over 77kg of cocaine, worth more than £7m, on three separate occasions. Officers seized £28,000 worth of cannabis from Gittins' home and recovered mixing agents from Knowles' address. Images of kilo blocks of cocaine were also found on his phone. Gittins was jailed for seven years and six months. Knowles for four years and 10 months. Both admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine. Simon Buller, a scaffolder-turned drug-dealer from Atherton, Wigan, was jailed for 15 years and two months in September last year. He was said to have played a 'leading role' in the supply conspiracy. Article continues below Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from NWROCU said: "Operation Matrix has resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals and prison sentences totalling over 140 years. These convictions strike a significant blow to the supply of drugs across the North West and the UK as we continue to remove top-end controllers of international drug supply. "Magdalena Sadlo's arrest and conviction highlight the reach and complexity of this operation. She played a key role in managing international drug supply and laundering criminal profits, and will now face the consequences of her actions behind bars."
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island star jailed for 14 years over role in ‘Amazon-style' drugs cartel which flooded UK with narcotics
She helped flood UK streets with "eye-opening" amounts of drugs 'KINGPIN' BARBIE Love Island star jailed for 14 years over role in 'Amazon-style' drugs cartel which flooded UK with narcotics Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LOVE Island star has been jailed for 14 years for her crucial role in a multi-million pound "Amazon-style" drug smuggling operation. Magdalena Sadlo, nicknamed Barbie, helped transport hundreds of kilos of cocaine across the world for a major cartel based in the Middle East. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring Credit: Polsat / Love Island 6 The Love Island contestant acted as the business brain for the cartel Credit: Supplied 6 She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to the UK Credit: Polsat / Love Island The 30-year-old, who appeared in the 2021 series of Love Island in her native Poland, was working in hospitality in Dubai whilst helping to flood UK streets with "eye-opening" amounts of drugs. Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo, of Bracknell, Berkshire, was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring. Their operation was so slick that some investigators compared it to Amazon. She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to Holland and then on to Britain. Prosecuting, Tim Evans told how the international cartel could not have operated at the level it did without Sadlo's "efficiency". He said: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels. "She updates who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved. "She is very much part of the inner circle… and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables. "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in. "No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." While based in the UK, she operated as a drugs courier, often collecting cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich in Essex. Drugs experts believe she moved 300kg of cocaine across seven trips, including 33kg of cocaine to Greater Manchester on one date alone. Love Island star, 29, caught smuggling COCAINE on flight from Dubai as part of £53MILLION drug ring The drugs were stored in safe houses in the Manchester area before being distributed to dealers over several months using BMWs. She then helped launder the proceeds by investing in designer clothes and luxury watches including a £130,000 Patek Philippe and a £30,000 Rolex. Detectives held Sadlo when she landed at Heathrow Airport on February 13 last year, having flown Emirates first class from Dubai. She was caught carrying luxury watches, bracelets and rings, and a 'crime CV' boasting her business acumen and qualifications. Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her "Barbie" nickname. In one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' Sadlo was due to have been sentenced in April after admitting conspiring to supply drugs and to launder money. 6 Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her 'Barbie' nickname Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 Detectives held Sadlo (left) when she landed at Heathrow Airport in February last year Credit: Polsat / Love Island But sentencing was adjourned after insisting she played only a minor role as a £1,000-a-month personal assistant. Finally sentencing her to 14 years yesterday, Judge Nicholas Barker said that Sadlo was "central" to the organisation. He added: "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you. "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at top." Thirteen members of the gang have already been jailed for up to 20 years each.
The Irish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island star jailed for 14 years over role in ‘Amazon-style' drugs cartel which flooded UK with narcotics
A LOVE Island star has been jailed for 14 years for her crucial role in a multi-million pound "Amazon-style" drug smuggling operation. Magdalena Sadlo, nicknamed Barbie, helped transport hundreds of kilos of cocaine across the world for a major cartel based in the Middle East. Advertisement 6 Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring Credit: Polsat / Love Island 6 The Love Island contestant acted as the business brain for the cartel Credit: Supplied 6 She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to the UK Credit: Polsat / Love Island The 30-year-old, who appeared in the 2021 series of Love Island in her native Poland, was working in hospitality in Dubai whilst helping to flood UK streets with "eye-opening" amounts of drugs. Carlisle Crown Court heard that Sadlo, of Bracknell, Berkshire, was brought in as a financial director for the smuggling ring. Their operation was so slick that some investigators compared it to Amazon. She helped organise the shipment of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to Advertisement Read more News Prosecuting, Tim Evans told how the international cartel could not have operated at the level it did without Sadlo's "efficiency". He said: "She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels. "She updates who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved. "She is very much part of the inner circle… and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Breaking "She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in. "No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role." While based in the UK, she operated as a drugs courier, often collecting cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich in Essex. Drugs experts believe she moved 300kg of cocaine across seven trips, including 33kg of cocaine to Greater Manchester on one date alone. Advertisement Love Island star, 29, caught smuggling COCAINE on flight from Dubai as part of £53MILLION drug ring The drugs were stored in safe houses in the Manchester area before being distributed to dealers over several months using BMWs . She then helped launder the proceeds by investing in designer clothes and luxury watches including a £130,000 Patek Philippe and a £30,000 Rolex. Detectives held Sadlo when she landed at Heathrow Airport on February 13 last year, having flown Emirates first class from Dubai. She was caught carrying luxury watches, bracelets and rings, and a 'crime CV' boasting her business acumen and qualifications. Advertisement Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her "Barbie" nickname. In one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' Sadlo was due to have been sentenced in April after admitting conspiring to supply drugs and to launder money. 6 Encrypted texts on her phones revealed her 'Barbie' nickname Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Advertisement 6 Detectives held Sadlo (left) when she landed at Heathrow Airport in February last year Credit: Polsat / Love Island But sentencing was adjourned after insisting she played only a minor role as a £1,000-a-month personal assistant. Finally sentencing her to 14 years yesterday, Judge Nicholas Barker said that Sadlo was "central" to the organisation. He added: "I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you. Advertisement "You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward. "I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at top." Thirteen members of the gang have already been jailed for up to 20 years each. 6 Judge Nicholas Barker said that Sadlo was 'central' to the organisation Credit: Linkedin Advertisement
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Love Island star who was 'business brain' of £53m drug cartel learns her fate
Crime bosses called her 'Barbie' - Magdalena Sadlo, 30, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after using her management skills to prepare accounts for an international gang A Love Island star dubbed 'Barbie' who was the 'business brain' for a £53m drugs cartel was jailed for 14 years today. Magdalena Sadlo, 30, used her management skills to prepare criminal accounts for crime bosses based in the Middle East. She was nicknamed 'Barbie', and in one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' Cartel members based in Dubai had masterminded a conspiracy to ship enormous sums of cocaine into the UK. Sadlo, star of the 2021 Polish version of Love Island, was drafted in to help. Tim Evans, prosecuting, told Carlisle Crown Court that the gang engaged in multi-faceted illegal activity. Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024. Travelling first class with Emirates from Dubai, she was carrying a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, a £30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with proceeds of crime, and a CV boasting her business acumen and qualifications. As a courier for the gang, Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich. A police drug expert concluded she could have trafficked almost 300kg of cocaine in seven trips, including 33kg to Manchester. Over several months she transported it around England in BMWs during 'whistle-stop' tours. Cocaine was stored initially in safe houses and then moved around the country by a team of trusted drivers for supply to addicts. Sadlo was a trusted financial director, documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets. Mr Evans said: 'She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels, the profit margins involved... No organised crime group at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role.' Sadlo was 'enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting', scolding major players when they did not meet her high standards. Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops with spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied. After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply. On one phone, Sadlo made web searches for '50kg cocaine June news UK' and 'which countries have the death penalty for drugs'. 'She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in,' said Mr Evans. Sadlo, of Bracknell, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money. Twelve men have already been handed sentences totalling more than 100 years for their role in a plot. Judge Nicholas Barker likened the illegal activity to 'unrolling a ball of wool around the world '. Defence barrister Peter Corrigan said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction. In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse after falling on hard times. She was highly regarded by friends and family, the court heard. Judge Barker concluded Sadlo, as a courier, was 'central' in the collection of that drug and onward distribution. 'I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you,' said Judge Barker. 'You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward.' He told the defendant: 'I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at the top.' Sadlo also managed encrypted communications with senior cartel members and maintained detailed spreadsheets tracking stock levels, customer payments, expenses, and profits. Messages recovered included: 'Having a good month, done 95895 in profit so far from orders,' and 'Yeah finding it much better doing sit downs for an hour at a time when I can update it.' Sadlo was described as performing a managerial role within the international cartel, effectively acting as an accounts manager for the criminal enterprise. She was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), Class B drugs (cannabis and ketamine), and conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer, or remove criminal Superintendent Zoe Russo, NWROCU, said: 'Operation Matrix has resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals and prison sentences totalling over 140 years. These convictions strike a significant blow to the supply of drugs across the North West and the UK as we continue to remove top-end controllers of international drug supply.'Magdalena Sadlo's arrest and conviction highlight the reach and complexity of this operation. She played a key role in managing international drug supply and laundering criminal profits, and will now face the consequences of her actions behind bars.'We hope this investigation sends a clear message that whatever your role is in drug trafficking, we will find you, investigate you, and bring you to justice. We are committed to ridding the streets of drugs, robustly dealing with high harm offenders to reduce crime and restore trust and confidence in communities across the North West.'
