Drone pilot and his wife jailed for smuggling drugs and mobile phones into eleven prisons

A husband and wife have been jailed for a combined total of more than seven years after being convicted of smuggling thousands of pounds of illegal contraband into UK prisons and young offender institutes using drones.

Sajad Hashimi and Zerka Maranay of Compayne Gardens in Camden, London, were arrested in October 2023 following an investigation led by Northamptonshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team (SOCT).

In partnership with the East Midlands Serious Operations Unit’s Regional Prison Investigation Unit (EMSOU RPIU), the Force launched an investigation in January 2023 into the increased drone incursions at His Majesty’s Prison, HMP Onley.

The investigation identified 27-year-old Hashimi as being responsible for more than 100 drone incursions into 11 prisons and young offender institutes across 78 separate dates between August 2022 and October 2023.

However, most of the incursions took place in Northamptonshire with at least 72 of the drone drops taking place at HMP Onley over 39 separate dates.

It also proved that 28-year-old Maranay assisted Hashmini by hiring at least 20 cars costing in the region of £17,000, which he used to travel to and from the HMP sites - Onley, The Mount, Maidstone, High Down, Guys Marsh, Garth, Wormwood Scrubs, Highpoint, Downview YOI, Brixton and Edinburgh.

In addition to arranging the transport, Maranay used her bank account to launder nearly £50,000, which her husband had been paid for piloting the drones and delivering the illegal contraband at a pre-arranged drop point within the grounds of each of the prisons.

Detectives also established that Hashimi was already under investigation for similar offences by the Metropolitan Police, which executed a search warrant at his home address in on August 3, 2023.

A drone and drugs were recovered from the address and Hashimi was arrested on suspicion of the possession with intent to supply both Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis) drugs and bringing/throwing/otherwise conveying a list A article into a prison.

The authorities had been alerted to Hashimi’s illegal activities following the recovery of a white DJI Phantom 4 drone which had crashed within the grounds of HMP Highpoint in Suffolk on July 4, 2023.

Fishing line and hooks were attached the drone along with a package which contained heroin, steroids, chargers, tobacco, SIM cards and mobile phones, which had a combined prison value of up to £19,500.

On further examination of the crashed drone, data confirmed that it had been responsible for 62 flights across 34 dates and seven different HMP sites between January 3 and June 3 last year.

Despite crashing the drone, Hashimi immediately acquired another one and continued flying packages into prisons and on August 17, 2023, Kent Police attended HMP Maidstone following reports of a drone flying over the prison.

A Nissan Qashqai, which had been hired by Maranay the previous day, was found by officers parked nearby and Hashimi was stopped in the area and found to be in possession of the vehicle’s key.

A search of the car recovered numerous drugs packages while a drone and controller were found hidden under a nearby van. Hashimi was subsequently arrested and later bailed for being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

On further examination of the seized drone, data confirmed that between June 15 and August 17, 2023, the electronic aircraft was responsible for carrying out 38 flights across 34 dates at seven HMP sites.

Enquiries again showed Hashimi had travelled to the prisons in cars, which had been hired by his wife, on each occasion to deliver the packages, which included prohibited articles including Class A (heroin) and Class B (cannabis) drugs, mobile phones, SIM cards, tobacco, and phone charging cables.

Multiple packages were recovered from inside prison grounds and the value of the cannabis alone was estimated to be between £29,450 and £74,970 once delivered inside the prison.

On October 16, 2023, Hashimi was arrested by Northamptonshire Police SOCT and further evidence was obtained from his phones which showed he had been in communication with prisoners to arrange 19 flights on nine separate dates between August and September, 2023.

The following day the team arrested Maranay. The couple were subsequently charged with conspiring to convey prohibited articles into prisons and appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on October 18, 2023.

The case was transferred to Northampton Crown Court and on February 12 this year, Hashimi pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class B drugs into prisons and conspiring to convey List B prohibited articles into prisons.

On March 22, he also pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A. While Maranay pleaded guilty to conspiring to convey List B prohibited articles into prisons and money laundering on February 12 and March 22 respectively.

Both returned to the same court on Monday, April 29, where they were sentenced to a total of 88 months.

Hasmini received 31 months for conspiracy to supply a Class B drug (cannabis), 32 months for being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug (heroin) and 10 months for conspiracy to convey prohibited articles. A total of 73 months.

He was also issued a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order which will come into effect once he is released from prison.

His wife, Maranay was sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison for her part in the enterprise. Six months for conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and a further nine months for converting criminal property.

Detective Inspector Carrie Powers of Northamptonshire Police SOCT said: “This has been a very complex, detailed investigation and the largest of its kind for our Force and I would like to express my personal thanks to the team for their hard work.

“Particularly DC Lewis who led this investigation and worked tirelessly to demonstrate the level and scope of Hashimi and Maranay’s offending. His painstaking work and tenacity have ultimately led to guilty pleas and conviction.

“I would also like to commend PC Murden, our digital media investigator, analyst and the EMSOU RPIU who have shown complete dedication and professionalism to bring this case to a successful conclusion.

“Finally, I would like to thank our colleagues at His Majesty’s Prison Service for their support during this investigation.

“Tackling and preventing drug harm and serious organised crime are matters of priority for the Force and we will continue to act to disrupt drug supply associated with organised gangs, who prey on the most vulnerable people in our society and bring misery to others.”

Prisons and Probation Minister Edward Argar added: “Our beefed-up anti-drone no-fly zones – along with drug detection dogs and airport-style security – are helping us lock up organised criminals and crack down on drugs behind bars.

“This sentencing is a warning to those who think they won’t be caught. We will find you and ensure you face the full force of the law.”

If anyone has concerns about drug dealing or any other illegal activities, please report it to us on 101, online at www.northants.police.uk/ro or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.