Police seize parcels ‘due to be thrown into prison’
TWO MEN ARE ALSO ARRESTED IN DAWN RAIDS
TWO men have been arrested and two parcels seized police believe were due to be thrown over the perimeter fences of a prison for inmates inside.
Detectives said they contained ‘contraband’ and didn’t elaborate further.
Dawn raids were carried out on two addresses in Salford yesterday - with specialist sniffer dogs deployed in subsequent searches.
GMP said the warrants executed came as part of an operation carried out by the force’s new ‘Challenger Prison Team.’
Set up this month, the unit is targeting organised crime linked to the four prisons in Greater Manchester and includes the investigation of so-called ‘prison throw overs’ of drugs, mobile phones and weapons.
Officers from HM Prison and Probation Service supported GMP officers in the raids.
Detectives said they believed the parcels were prepared to be thrown over the walls at Forest Bank prison in Agecroft, Salford.
The two men held - aged 19 and 33 - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to convey articles into prison. Both remained in custody last night.
GMP also revealed that on Thursday night, ‘co-ordinated searches’ were carried out inside HMP Forest Bank by prison officers.
A number of mobile phones were seized, which the force said intelligence suggested were linked to the ongoing investigation.
Detective Inspector Jack Murphy said: “The new Challenger Prison Team are dedicated to relentlessly pursuing any individuals involved in these throw overs both inside and outside the Greater Manchester prisons.
“These parcels often contain drugs, mobile phones, steroids, tobacco, paper soaked in spice, cannabis and even knives.
“Contraband such as this is often up to five times more expensive when sold inside of prisons and can make the prison an unsafe environment.
“It can promote gang culture and can lead to further crimes being committed by inmates and pose a serious risk to the safety of prison staff and prisoners, whilst lining the pockets of Organised crime groups.”