To Catch a King: 6. Ranya Boys

Sue and Rob head to the Iraqi town that’s become a hotbed of smuggling and the starting point for many migrant journeys – Ranya.

There, they unravel what's happened to scores of missing boys taken hostage and tortured as they try to reach the UK.

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 an international arrest warrant.

They 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 worried family. Who is the man connecting them?

The series is recorded and presented by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie.

It’s produced by Joel Moors.

Original music is by Mom Tudie and sound design and mix are by Tom Brignell.

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