A criminal gang that orchestrated a sophisticated drone smuggling operation, delivering drugs, weapons, and mobile phones to inmates across multiple prisons, has been handed significant jail terms. Judge James Lofthouse, presiding at Harrow Crown Court, starkly compared the illicit service to modern food delivery platforms like Uber Eats or Deliveroo, highlighting its efficiency and on-demand nature.
Well-Oiled Conspiracy Uncovered
Shafaghatullah Mohseni, 29, was identified as the mastermind behind this "well-oiled conspiracy," coordinating dozens of drone drops to prisoners in London and southeast England between December 2, 2024, and February 26, 2025. The Metropolitan Police revealed that this operation was responsible for a staggering 75% of all drone deliveries into London prisons during that period, underscoring its scale and impact.
Gang Members and Their Roles
Six accomplices assisted Mohseni in various capacities: Hashim Al Hussaini, 28; Mohammed Hamoud, 22; Faiz Salah, 29; Zahar Essaghi, 51; Mustafa Ibrahim, 30; and Emanuel Fisniku, 25. They acted as lookouts and drivers, facilitating the drops and receiving payments for their involvement. The gang typically operated in the early hours, using cars to transport drones and packages filled with contraband, which were then flown directly into cell windows.
Contraband and Prison Targets
The smuggled items included flick knives, cannabis, Xanax, Valium, and miniature mobile phones designed to evade detection by prison guards. At least nine prisons were targeted, including Wormwood Scrubs, Brixton, Pentonville, and Wandsworth in London, as well as Norwich and Leicester. Judge Lofthouse noted that guards, hampered by staff shortages, often witnessed drones making deliveries but were unable to intervene effectively due to limited resources.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Mohseni, referred to in court as the "grand delivery driver," received a sentence of five years and three months. His accomplices were jailed for terms ranging from 27 to 33 months. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Lofthouse condemned the gang's actions, stating that they "flood our prisons with drugs and mobile phones" and facilitate further criminality, thereby undermining prison safety and order. He emphasized the "corrosive" effect of such drone deliveries on security.
Investigation and Arrest
The gang's downfall came on February 26, 2025, when police, acting on a tip-off about a planned knife smuggling into HMP Norwich, arrested Mohseni, Al Hussaini, Hamoud, and Fisniku in a car. Authorities found a JD sports bag containing a drone, packages with phones and cannabis, and a knife. Prosecutors noted that while some conspirators may not have been aware of specific weapons, they were still complicit in transporting them.
Financial Transactions and Impact
The court heard that close relatives of prisoners sent large sums to Mohseni as payment for the smuggled goods, with one example showing he received £26,785 from 14 individuals linked to inmates. This financial aspect highlights the profitability and organized nature of the operation, which exploited vulnerabilities in prison systems.
This case sheds light on the growing challenge of drone smuggling in UK prisons, transitioning from sporadic local efforts to specialized criminal enterprises. It underscores ongoing issues with staff shortages and security gaps that enable such illicit activities to thrive.
