Copyright dailymail
This is the dramatic moment police arrested a man responsible for smuggling up to £300k of drugs into prisons via drones. In the space of less than a year, Curtis Carney, 36, and his accomplice Robert Stoba, 26, attempted 50 drops with the devices, over six different prisons across the North West of England. The pair groomed vulnerable women into their crimes, using them to store the drugs and to drive them to the jails, so as not to arouse suspicion. But they were caught following an investigation by specialist detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), who stopped ringleader Carney on the M6 in Lancashire in June last year. Moments before pulling onto the hard shoulder, Carney hurled a large package – which was wrapped in grass to camouflage it - from the car. Officers found it on the motorway embankment and discovered drugs and mobile phones inside. A drone was also discovered inside the boot of his VW Polo. Carney was detained, with the arresting officer telling him: ‘No funny business we are on the side of the motorway.’ He was questioned and then bailed but not deterred. He was caught attempting another smuggling operation, close to HMP Liverpool four months later and arrested again. Two more drones were found in his car, as well as four packages, each containing drugs and mobile phones, in the footwell. Accomplice Stoba was also with him in the vehicle. Investigators linked Carney to other illicit packages that had been previously flown into the prison and they were both charged. In total, officers seized 11 drones and drugs, including cannabis and ketamine, with a prison value of up to £295,000, during their 10-month inquiry. They discovered the drones had been involved in more than 50 flights, dropping drugs and mobile phones into HMP Liverpool and HMP Altcourse, both in Merseyside; HMP Hindley, in Greater Manchester; HMP Wymott and HMP Garth in Lancashire and HMP Deerbolt in County Durham. Last week Carney, of Kirkby, Liverpool, and Stoba, of no fixed abode, were jailed for almost 10 years in total at Liverpool Crown Court. Carney, who admitted conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison, between April last year and May this year, conveyance of articles into prison, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug in prison, plus dangerous driving was jailed for eight years. Stoba, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison, was jailed for 22 months. Carney was also made the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO), banning him from using mobile phones and drones for five years on his release. Breaching the conditions of an SCPO is a criminal offence and can result in up to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Detective Chief Inspector Dan Clegg, from the NWROCU, said: ‘This case highlights the evolving tactics of organised crime groups. 'Our operation brought together intelligence and resources from across the North West to dismantle a sophisticated network exploiting drone technology to breach prison security. ‘We remain committed to protecting our communities and prisons from this kind of threat.’ Emma Thompson, head of the Corruption, Crime and Policing Unit for HM Prison and Probation Service, said: ‘As this case shows, anyone trying to smuggle contraband into our jails will feel the full force of the law – and we will use every power available to disrupt their criminal activity.’
