Men held over attempted drone drug drop at jail

Four men have been arrested after an attempt to fly a drone packed with drugs and other illicit items into a prison from a nearby car park.

The suspects, aged in their 20s and 30s, were held on Sherbourne Street West in Salford following the incident near HMP Manchester.

Police were called after the drone was spotted in the sky close to the city centre jail, known locally by its former name Strangeways, on 7 February.

The drone was seized with the package still attached after the men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison, Greater Manchester Police said.

The arrests come after alarm was raised by inspectors that drone-related drug smuggling in prisons was an increasing "threat to national security".

They found prisoners had been burning holes into windows at HMP Manchester to receive packages, that often held drugs, weapons, and even takeaway meals.

Operation Gatehouse has been launched by GMP to tackle criminal activity in jails in response.

Det Sgt Jamie Heaton said the sophistication of the drone drops had "continued to evolve", but the arrests showed the force's commitment to cracking down on the deliveries.

He said: "This isn't just about drugs and contraband - it's about dismantling organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals both inside and outside prison walls."

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