Intrigue

BBC Radio 4
Intrigue
Latest episode

111 episodes

  • Intrigue

    To Catch a King: 6. Ranya Boys

    06/17/2026 | 35 mins.
    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.
  • Intrigue

    To Catch a King: 5. Travel Agents

    06/10/2026 | 34 mins.
    A Turkish smuggler and his money man reveal more about alliances between criminal gangs.
    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 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 is by Tom Brignell
  • Intrigue

    To Catch a King: 4. The French Escort

    06/03/2026 | 33 mins.
    A hidden location. Migrants awaiting a boat crossing. Who helps them 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 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 worried family. Who is the man connecting them?
    The series is recorded and presented by Sue Mitchell
    It’s produced by Joel Moors
    Original music is by Mom Tudie and sound design and mix is by Tom Brignell
  • Intrigue

    To Catch a King: 3. Stormy Weather

    05/27/2026 | 33 mins.
    A pause in small boat crossings and a coincidence that reveals how boats are delivered.
    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 worried family. Who is the man connecting them?
    The series is recorded and presented by Sue Mitchell
    It’s produced by Joel Moors
    Original music is by Mom Tudie and sound design and mix is by Tom Brignell
  • Intrigue

    To Catch a King: 2. The Bullet Train

    05/20/2026 | 33 mins.
    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 worried family. Who is the man connecting them?
    The series is recorded and presented by Sue Mitchell
    It’s produced by Joel Moors
    Original music is by Mom Tudie and sound design and mix is by Tom Brignell
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About Intrigue
Next on Intrigue: To Catch a King. A new people-smuggling boss is running routes into the UK. Who is he, and can his true identity be revealed? To Catch a Scorpion duo Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie investigate. Intrigue: 'Jaw-dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.
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