4lb drugs drone crashes into jail
DEVICE TOO HEAVY FOR GREEDY CROOKS TO FLY’
CRIMINALS using a drone to smuggle a record quantity of illegal drugs to prisoners crashed it inside a jail after losing control.
Warders who found the wrecked device on a roof at the prison discovered it was carrying a package weighing 4lb 6oz.
The parcel held Class B drugs such as Spice, mobile phones and SIM cards.
It is the heaviest drone-smuggled consignment ever found in a British jail, weighing more than two bags of sugar, and a source said: “The crooks responsible were just being too greedy.
“The theory is that the drone had been overloaded. The parcel was huge and was stuffed with contraband, including mobile FIREFIGHTERS battle a factory blaze which killed at least 24 workers.
Around 100 people were working at the site near the Bangladesh capital Dhaka when a blast ripped through its boiler room.
The resulting blaze injured 70 people, many of them critically, and searches were launched as some staff were feared to be trapped in the fourstorey Tampaco Foils building.
Mohammad Rokon, 35, who got out with minor injuries, said: “I heard an phones. The drone simply didn’t have the power to fly safely. It went out of control and crashed.”
The device was recovered from the roof of D wing at Risley Prison near Warrington, Cheshire, at 9.20pm on September 1.
The package has been handed to police, who are now investigating.
The Prison Officers Association’s assistant secretary Glyn Travis said: “Smuggling using drones is now a major way of getting around security.
“The increased frequency of use and the increased loads add up to a huge challenge for prison officers.
“But financial cuts and a reduction in the number of officers mean it is harder explosion and felt a tremor. The ceiling started to fall. I got out with the help of my phone’s flashlight.”
The food and cigarette packaging firm supplies brands including British American Tobacco and Nestle.
Four years ago, more than 1,300 workers died when Bangladesh’s Rhana Plaza clothes factory collapsed.
Campaigners last night called for new safeguards to protect workers in the country. Scott Nova, of the Worker Rights Consortium, said: “This disaster underscores the need for better safety conditions.” to stop smuggling of all types. We need more prison officers and resources to tackle these issues.”
Risley, a Category C closed jail, has room for 1,964 inmates.
Cheshire Police said: “We can confirm officers received reports that a drone had crashed on to the roof of Risley Prison.
“Officers attended the scene and discovered a drone along with a quantity of Class B drugs.
“An investigation has been launched and anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact us by calling 101. To date no arrests have been made.”