A Love Island star nicknamed “Barbie” worked for a major international crime cartel which flooded UK streets with illegal drugs worth £53m, a court heard. Magdalena Sadlo, 30, was the ‘business brain’ who prepared criminal accounts for bosses based in the Middle East, it was alleged.
She was nicknamed “Barbie”, detectives learned, 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 and played several highly trusted parts, according to the prosecution.
As a driver Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of the illegal drug as it was imported into the port of Harwich. She moved 33kg to Greater Manchester on one date alone. Over several months, she transported it around England in expensive BMWs during “whistle-stop” tours, Carlisle crown court was told.
Trafficked cocaine was stored initially in safe houses before being moved around the country by a team of trusted criminal couriers for onward supply to street users. While based in the Middle East, Sadlo also played the part of a trusted financial director, diligently documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets.
“She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels, updating who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved,” said prosecutor Tim Evans. “No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role.”
Sadlo was “enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting”, suggested the prosecutor, and “told others (major players) off when they did not meet her high standards of efficiency.”
Mr Evans added: “She is very much part of the inner circle… and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables.” Sadlo also prompted others to chase debts, suggesting one person needed a “nudge”.
One group member responded by referring to a man “having to sell his house”, adding: “But I’m gonna send some lads.” Police detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024, having travelled Emirates first class from Dubai.
She was carrying a £130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, £30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with criminal cash, plus a CV giving details of her business acumen and qualifications.
Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops. 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, in January 2024, 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, was due to be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today before issues were raised with the prosecution case against her.
She admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money.
The sentencing hearing was adjourned when Sadlo’s barrister said she took issue with elements of the prosecution case.
She had in fact played a lesser criminal part, according to her defence, and been paid £1,000 a month for services as a personal assistant. The hearing was adjourned to June 13.
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