**Two British Men Remain in High-Security Norwegian Prison After Delivery Job Ends in Arrest**
Two British men, including a former serviceman, are currently being detained in a maximum-security prison in Norway following their arrest during a routine delivery assignment. The pair, both employed as close protection officers by a UK-based security company, now find themselves at the centre of a legal controversy, accused of involvement in a suspected money laundering operation.
Samuel Cook, a 31-year-old father from Exeter, and another man whose identity has yet to be disclosed, were reportedly contracted via their employer to transport a significant consignment of silver coins. The cargo, weighing an estimated 500 kilogrammes and valued at approximately £1.5 million, was due to be moved between two locations in Oslo.
According to family members, the assignment appeared straightforward. The men were offered £250 per day over a three-day period—a standard arrangement for their line of work, which involves both delivering goods and ensuring the security of high-profile clients. However, events took a dramatic turn on 22 April when the Norwegian police intercepted their vehicle during the delivery in Oslo. Both men were promptly arrested amidst accusations that initially centred on aggravated robbery.
For Samuel Cook’s family, the situation has become a prolonged ordeal. His father, Steve Cook, speaking from the family home in Devon, described the distress he and his wife are experiencing. “We received a call four weeks ago, out of the blue, that Samuel and his colleague had been detained. They had no way of knowing anything was amiss with the delivery—they were entirely above board, acting as professional couriers hired in good faith.”
While details of the ongoing investigation remain scarce, Norwegian authorities have since clarified that the pair are now facing allegations of negligent money laundering rather than the original charge of robbery. Court documents obtained from Oslo District Court indicate there is “reasonable ground for suspicion”, and the men’s detention at Ringerike Prison—a facility known for housing some of Norway’s most dangerous offenders—has been extended by an additional month as investigations continue.
The Norwegian court records suggest that authorities believe the silver coins in question may have originated from criminal activity, and that Samuel Cook and his associate “most likely understood” the illicit nature of their cargo. However, Steve Cook is adamant this is not the case for his son. “Samuel has never had any trouble with the law. He’s registered disabled owing to bipolar disorder, ADHD, and depression. He would never knowingly get involved in anything illegal, certainly not for the sake of a modest fee.”
So far, the family has had limited contact with Samuel since his incarceration, with reports indicating that he is physically well but struggling with sleep deprivation due to the stress of the situation. The British Embassy, meanwhile, has confirmed it is in touch with both detainees and is communicating with Norwegian authorities to provide consular support.
Norwegian legal representatives remain tight-lipped on specifics, citing the need for confidentiality in ongoing criminal cases. “We can confirm the arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into economic and environmental crime,” said Jon André Hvoslef-Eide, state prosecutor for Økokrim, the agency now leading the case. Apart from acknowledging the investigation, Norwegian officials have declined to comment further.
For now, the fate of the two British men rests in the hands of the Norwegian legal system. Their families back in the UK remain hopeful that the full circumstances surrounding the job and their abrupt arrest will soon be clarified.
As the legal process unfolds, this case raises larger questions about the risks faced by security professionals working internationally—and the due diligence required when undertaking cross-border assignments. Meanwhile, the story serves as a cautionary tale to others in the industry about the importance of transparency and verification when accepting unfamiliar contracts, regardless of how routine they may initially appear.