Drone gang airlifted £500,000 of drugs into prisons in 'sophisticated operation'

Seven members of a gang which used drones to airlift £500,000 worth of drugs into prisons have been jailed.



The drugs were mainly skunk and synthetic cannabis, as well as amphetamines, crack cocaine and heroin − which they flew in along with steroids, mobile phones, SIM cards and memory sticks.



Seven men have been handed sentences ranging from three to 10 years.



The sophisticated operation was headed by 31-year-old Lee Anslow, nephew of notorious Black Country drug dealer John Anslow, who orchestrated around half of all the flights from behind bars in HMP Hewell, police said.



Judge Simon Drew QC, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court, told the men the "sophisticated commercial operation" targeting jails in the West Midlands and the North West had increased levels of prison violence.



He said drug and mobile phone use in prisons had also caused an increase in self-harm and deaths, as well as allowing witness intimidation and illegal financial transactions.



The judge - who handed suspended prison terms to five other defendants - said: "Deterrent sentences are not only justified but essential."