Pentonville Prison where drugs were delivered by drones to inmates

A MAN has been arrested in an investigation into the use of drones to smuggle drugs and phones into Pentonville prison.

Staff found the flying kit last August after it crashed inside the jail’s grounds. It was loaded with cannabis, Pregabalin, the synthetic cannabinoid ‘spice’ and mobile phones in.

Detective Inspector Zara Baker said: “Smuggling drugs into prison is a serious crime.

“Illegal drugs massively increase the risk of violence towards staff and other inmates and ruins rehabilitation.”

She added: “As the public would expect, we are disrupting the supply of illegal drugs and have a number of methods to crack down on those who try and break the law.

“Anyone with information about those who profit from the misery caused by illegal drugs is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.”

Met officers worked closely with counterparts at HM Prison Service and SEROCU (South East Regional Organised Crime Unit) and used forensic techniques and other tactics to identify the suspect.

Officers also linked the incident to crashed drones containing drugs and phones found at Pentonville in September 2023, HMP High Down, Surrey, in November 2023 and HMP Swaleside, Kent, in January this year

A man has been charged on suspicion of these offences, police said.