Man who attempted to deliver drugs into prison using drone jailed
Oliver Onyeahasi has been jailed for 40 months
A man who attempted to smuggle drugs into Erlestoke prison using a drone has been jailed.
Oliver Onyeahasi, 26, of Aberdeen Road, Cotham, Bristol, has been jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and two counts of being concerned in the supply of class C drugs.
In the early hours of the morning on 1 October 2023, police were called to Erlestoke Prison following a report of a low flying drone, believed to be being used to deliver a package within the prison grounds.
Officers attended and located a man running from them towards the main road. A foot chase ensued and Onyeahasi was detained and arrested after he was seen to discard a drone controller as he attempted to flee officers. The drone and its package were intercepted.
Det Insp Steve Edwards, our Force Operational Lead for Crimes in Prisons, said: “This case is an excellent example of partner agency work between HMP Erlestoke staff and police officers to detain Onyeahasi and two other individuals, and subsequently bring Onyeahasi – the principal offender – to justice.
“Our officers are dedicated to rooting out any criminal activity, including offences within the prison grounds and I am pleased the courts felt this offending was so serious that a prison sentence was given.
"I am pleased with the work ongoing between HMP Erlestoke and Wiltshire Police, to target those who seek to cause harm both inside and outside of the prison establishment”.
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said: "Those using drones to smuggle contraband into our prisons will feel the full force of the law.
"We inherited a system that had seen drone incidents increase eightfold in just four years.
"That's why we are investing £40 million in new security measures including exterior netting and reinforced windows, as well as working with the police to tackle the serious organised criminals behind this threat".