Magdalena Sadlo, 29, a former contestant on the Polish version of Love Island, has been arrested for smuggling cocaine as part of a £53 million drug ring. She was caught at Heathrow Airport after flying in from Dubai and now faces jail time.
Sadlo, who appeared on Love Island in 2021, had boasted about "stealing" another woman's boyfriend during her time on the show. She was intercepted by officers from Operation Matrix, a police initiative targeting organized crime. After being remanded into custody, she is awaiting sentencing later this year.
The arrest is part of one of the UK's largest-ever drug busts, which dismantled a £53 million county lines drug ring. Earlier this year, nine men involved in the operation received combined sentences of over 106 years. The gang had been smuggling large quantities of cocaine into the UK and distributing it through "Amazon-style" deliveries, a term used to describe their organized and efficient method of operation.
The drug ring's downfall began when police seized 1kg of cocaine at a lock-up in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, last year. This significant seizure led investigators to scrutinize WhatsApp messages on confiscated phones, helping them identify key players in the operation, including Magdalena Sadlo.
Prosecutor Tim Evans described the bust as one of the largest ever in the UK, emphasizing the sophisticated nature of the drug operation. He highlighted that the gang's operations were highly organized, resembling a commercial enterprise in their efficiency and scale.
Magdalena Sadlo, previously from Bracknell in Berkshire, admitted to conspiring to supply a class A drug between March 2022 and May 2023. Following her appearance on Love Island, she worked in sales and later launched a yacht rental company in Dubai. Her LinkedIn profile details her entrepreneurial ventures, describing her as passionate about client hospitality and VIP experiences.
Despite her reality TV fame and subsequent business endeavors, Sadlo's involvement in the drug ring has overshadowed her past. The former reality star is now one of the many individuals implicated in this extensive criminal network.
The nine men sentenced earlier this year played significant roles in the drug ring. Their sentences reflected the serious nature of their crimes, with their combined jail time totaling over 106 years. Most of these individuals were from Manchester, underscoring the reach of the drug ring across the UK.
The maximum penalty for smuggling a Class A drug like cocaine is up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. However, supply and production offenses carry even harsher penalties, including potential life sentences.
Magdalena Sadlo remains in custody until her sentencing, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the former Love Island star. Her case highlights the severe consequences of involvement in organized crime and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in the UK.
