Members of a gang who smuggled drugs into prison hidden inside hot dog tins, mouthwash and packets of washing powder have been jailed.
South Yorkshire Police said the group used “any items” they could to smuggle ketamine, cannabis and spice into prisons across the UK.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the gang exploited the system used for forwarding on inmates’ possessions when they were transferred from one prison to another to get the items into jail.
On Friday serving prisoners Brandon Horne, 23, and Kieran Murphy, 30, Horne’s mother, Michelle Midgley, and Murphy’s partner Lydia Pinnington were jailed for their roles in the conspiracy.
A police spokesperson said when Horne and Murphy became aware a prisoner was being moved they would have fake property packages created and filled with contraband.
With the help of Midgely and Pinnington they would then have the bogus parcels sent on to the appropriate prison ahead of the real package, with the items then distributed by other inmates involved in the scam.
The force said Murphy was already serving a jail sentence for his role in another major smuggling conspiracy, while Pinnington had received a suspended sentence for money laundering linked to the activity.
