Listen to the new series of our true crime podcast ‘Underworld: Behind the Scenes of the NCA’ as we unearth the murky ‘underworld’ of serious and organised crime.
The National Crime Agency invites listeners 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.
Returning for its second season, the podcast offers unrestricted access and never-heard-before details of operations tackling the most chronic and enduring organised crime threats.
From people smuggling, child sexual abuse and gun and drug trafficking to money laundering and modern slavery, listeners will hear how organised criminals were identified and relentlessly pursued by NCA officers to stop them in their tracks and put them before the courts.
Tune in now for fascinating first-hand accounts from NCA officers, as well as partners from global forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Kurdistan Regional Security Agency and the Spanish National Police, who tell the full story of each case and uncover exclusive details around the pursuit of justice.
Graeme Biggar CBE, Director General of the NCA, said: “Our podcast gives the public front-row access to our most complex investigations to catch dangerous criminals and bring down those operating at the highest levels of the criminal underworld.
“Our highly-skilled officers speak candidly about the reality of tackling serious and organised crime – the pressures, the risks, and the immense pride they take in protecting the British public.
“If you're drawn to true crime, or want to better understand what it really takes to tackle the criminal networks that pose the greatest threat to our safety, I encourage you to listen to Underworld.”
All four episodes of season 2 are available from 12 November 2025 on all major podcast platforms.
Episodes:
Season 2
1. Episode One: The Best People Smuggler - 12 November 2025 release
He was feted “the best smuggler” – now he’s serving a 17-year jail term. In this opening episode of series two, the NCA reveals how it took down Amanj Hasan Zada, the ringleader of a global people smuggling network moving migrants across borders and into the UK on small boats. Based in Preston, Zada thought he was untouchable – until the NCA exposed his operation and brought him to justice. Hear from the NCA team who led the case, and the Kurdistan Region Security Agency who helped capture key suspects overseas.
2. Episode Two: Catching the Limo Guy - 12 November 2025 release
David Saynor, now in his seventies, used his limousine business to groom and sexually abuse teenage girls in Rotherham from the late 2000s to the early 2010s. Arrested under Operation Stovewood – the UK’s largest investigation into non- familial child sexual abuse – Saynor’s horrific crimes were exposed thanks to the courage of survivors and the dedication of specialist teams at the NCA. Hear from the officers who put him behind bars for the rest of his life, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, a specialist prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service, and more.
3. Episode Three: X Marks the Spot - 12 November 2025 release
It’s 2019, and a senior figure in the Kinahan Cartel is in custody, facing over 20 years behind bars for drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the NCA receives intelligence pointing to a buried cache of firearms and ammunition in a field in Northern Ireland. What followed was a complex and extraordinary NCA-led investigation – one that exposed a secret plot and delivered a major blow to organised crime. Hear from specialist officers from the NCA and PSNI, as well as Irish investigative journalist Nicola Tallant, as they reveal how one of the biggest twists in British criminal history was uncovered.
4. Episode Four: Hidden in Plain Sight - 12 November 2025 release
From a Bristol car wash, Slovakian national Maros Tancos ran a ruthless modern slavery ring with the help of his partner Joanna Gomulska. Together they lured vulnerable victims with false promises before forcing them into unpaid labour and stealing their freedom. An extensive NCA investigation tore the operation apart, leading to their 25-year combined jail sentences. Specialist officers from the Agency reveal how this hidden horror was exposed and how they rescued and safeguarded dozens of victims.
Season One
1. Episode One: The Crime Lord – 25 October 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 release
The NCA works with law enforcement agencies across the world to track down fugitives on the run and return them to the UK to face justice. In this episode, we’ll hear from an NCA team working on the ground in Spain to capture British criminals, plus success stories from the agency’s Most Wanted campaign run in conjunction with Crimestoppers, the Spanish authorities and UK policing.
7. Episode Seven: The Travel Agent – 20 December 2023 release
This episode focuses on Mohammed Mokter Hossain, who ran a sophisticated people smuggling network bringing people into the UK from his home in East London. For a fee, he could also arrange for you to leave the country in the back of a lorry, which is ideal if you’re wanted for murder or child abuse offences, as two of his customers were. The Travel Agent looks at how Hossain’s million-pound criminal empire was brought crashing down by an undercover NCA operation.
8. Episode Eight: The Specialists – 27 December 2023 release
When police forces need help with an investigation, they call in the Specialists from the NCA's Major Crime Investigative Support team. Officers from MCIS have supported UK policing on the majority of high profile serious investigations in the last 10 years. This final, fascinating episode looks back at some of those cases, the people who worked on the operations and the tactics which have helped them catch the worst of the UK's offenders.
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
The NCA’s CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.
www.ceopeducation.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
