BRASS NICK
Messenger chucks suspect packages over prison wall in broad daylight
A SHOCKING video has emerged of a man throwing objects – believed to be drugs packages – over the wall of Scotland’s biggest jail.
The male – wearing orange shorts and a grey hoodie – jumps a metal fence before running up a small hill to the inner wall and throws two objects over the brick wall in broad daylight at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow.
After he throws the second item, a large cheer can be heard from inside the notorious jail.
The footage was filmed just before lunchtime yesterday from a building overlooking the fence on what appears to be a camera phone.
A source told the Daily Record: “It is not that unusual for drugs and stuff to be launched over the walls.
“On Sunday, just before lunchtime, there were multiple items of contraband thrown over. It is usually co-ordinated and the inmates know that stuff is due to be flung over.
“It doesn’t happen that often in Barlinnie but it does happen from time to time. There are cases where tennis balls and other things have been used to put the drugs in before they fire it over the walls.
“In Edinburgh once, a dead seagull was used.
“The video seems to have been taken from an area which used to be prison officers’ housing.
“It is extraordinary the lengths that people will go to. I am sure the police will be interested in the video.”
Six years ago, criminals were exposed for using children’s chocolate treats to smuggle drugs over the prison wall to inmates. Kinder Surprise eggs were being thrown over the wall at Barlinnie, according to a source.
It is understood the drugs are hidden in yellow plastic capsules, normally used to store toys inside the eggs.
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We can confirm that there was an incident at HMP Barlinnie on Sunday which is currently being investigated.
“They are usually thrown over at ‘exercise time’ when an inmate is out in the yard to collect it.
“Staff are sensitive to this issue and that is why exercise and other activities are fully supervised.
“Staff dealt with a number of individuals in relation to items being thrown on Sunday.
“The incident has also been reported to Police Scotland.”
Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, more than 250 prisoners are currently self-isolating at Barlinnie after an outbreak of coronavirus.
Two prisoners and four members of staff at the prison have tested positive for the virus.