'Sophisticated' criminal gang jailed after smuggling drugs into jail
One of those sentenced was a prison nurse
A 'sophisticated' criminal gang - including a prison nurse - which smuggled drugs into jail have been jailed for more than five decades.
It follows a major Lancashire Police investigation, with the gang using drones to deliver parcels which were dropped into prison yards.
The nurse was one of 15 members of the gang sentenced after an investigation by the force's exploitation team which uncovered the network and took the gang down.
A raid on nurse Kiera Burton’s home address and car found items including a pair of shoes with hollowed out soles, as well as SIM cards, mobile phones and cash.
She was stopped and searched on her way into work at HMP Preston and found with drugs and sim cards on her.
The gang also used sophisticated drones to deliver parcels of drugs which were dropped into the prison yards.
Police have shared that another tactic involved a serving prisoner claiming to be unwell so they were taken to hospital where they would pick up packages of drugs and phones left for them in the toilets.
Evidence was gathered to show drugs were also brought into jail in children’s clothing on prison visits.
We're told that the investigation began into the drug supply of Stinton Glover and Eric Taylor where billing for Glover’s mobile phone showed two of the top contacts were prisoners inside Lancaster Farms prison.
Further enquiries uncovered the rest of the criminal network with the part of the illicit operation run from inside prison coordinated by inmates Jonathan Royal and Danny Ryder.
Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “This was a sophisticated criminal gang involving both serving prisoners and people on the outside smuggling drugs and other contraband like mobile phones and sim cards on a regular basis into prisons using a variety of different methods.
“We will continue to work with our partners in the prison service partners to tackle drug supply and target anyone involved.
“Criminals who think they can carry on with their illicit operations behind bars should think again – this case shows that we will dismantle criminal gangs operating inside and outside of prison, disrupt their activity and pursue offenders and put them before the courts.”
“I am grateful to colleagues in the prison service and at the Crown Prosecution Service in what was a very complex investigation.”
Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
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