Hunting Mr X: A True Crime Podcast

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Hunting Mr X is a true crime podcast that reveals the unbelievable story behind the biggest drugs importation in Scottish history – and the man who masterminded it all, Julian Chisholm, aka Mr X.

In 1990, the former Blairgowrie diver, along with a group of unlikely Scots, made a deal with the Cali Cartel to import £100 million of uncut cocaine into the north-west of Scotland.

In this new five-part series we take you inside Julian Chisholm’s criminal enterprise that spanned the globe.

The series also hears from those involved in the huge law enforcement operation to bring him to justice and reveals how Chisholm formed links with one of Europe’s most feared gangsters while in jail before mounting a daring prison escape.

Hunting Mr X is a podcast produced by The Courier.

Hunting Mr X: A True Crime Podcast

Episode 1: Anthrax Island

A young and ambitious diver from Blairgowrie travels to Aberdeen in search of fortune but his sights aren’t just set on oil money. Julian Chisholm forms a gang with the intention of smuggling cannabis into the country through a dangerous deserted island, Gruinard Island.

A ragout from The Press and Journal in May 1988

A ragout from The Press and Journal in October 1981.

Episode 2: Operation Klondyke

From Spain to Ullapool, UK customs officer Graham Dick and his team keep a watchful eye on the gang’s movements. As they begin to build a case against Julian Chisholm, Graham has a hunch that the criminal is planning something big with his gang, including latest recruit ‘Crazy’ Chris Howarth.

Customs officer Graham Dick. Image: DC Thomson

Episode 3: The Storm

After being put in a van during the middle of the night, on the orders of Julian Chisholm, gang members Chris Howarth and Noel Hawkins eventually find themselves in Gibraltar where they then set off on a journey across the Atlantic to pick up a shipment of cocaine from the Cali cartel.

Then they are faced with a battle for survival as the pair try to land the drugs in the UK, near Ullapool – amid a fierce storm.

The Pension Armando in the Costa del Sol where Chris Howarth and Noel Hawkins were told to go before setting sail to Venezuela. Image: Crown Office.

The DIMAR-B after being impounded at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Image: Crown Office.

Episode 4: The bright orange van

The net closes in on the gang as police and customs descend after weeks of surveillance as well as an incredible piece of luck.

Graham Dick races to intercept the drug haul but gets the surprise of his life.

This is the bright orange van the gang used to try to move the cocaine from Ullapool. Image: Crown Office.

The road near Drumbeg where the cocaine was stashed. Image: Crown Office.

Episode 5: Prison Break

It’s not how you thought this story was going to end.

Listen to the epic conclusion to Hunting Mr X and find out where each of the main players ended up after their lives were forever changed by Julian Chisholm.

Graphic shows the set-up at Fontcalent Prison on the day Julian Chisholm escaped. Image: Google/DC Thomson.

Bonus episode: A history of drugs

In the first of two new bonus episodes of Hunting Mr X, we dive even deeper into the UK’s gritty underworld in the 1980s and 1990s.

Host Brendan Duggan is joined by two guests to learn how the criminal industry evolved and the devastating impact of the drug scene on communities during these turbulent times.

Retired detective chief superintendent Neil Leslie is now a lecturer of criminology and policing at Abertay University and Richard Prest is DC Thomson’s head of content development and a former crime reporter.

Bonus episode: The making of Hunting Mr X

In the second of our bonus episodes, we take you behind the scenes of our true crime podcast, Hunting Mr X.

In a revealing conversation, host Brendan Duggan sits down with Impact Investigations reporter Dale Haslam to uncover the extensive work that went into crafting this gripping series.

Get a glimpse into the investigative process and learn about the months of dedication chasing leads and interviews that that brought Hunting Mr X to life.