Contraband ‘Flown To Order’ Into HMP Gartree

A former police officer is among four people facing jail terms for using drones to smuggle contraband into Gartree Prison.

Packages including Class A and B drugs, synthetic drug spice, tobacco, and mobile phones were ‘flown to order’ into the jail near Market Harborough during 2021 and 2022.

One package intercepted by a prison officer patrolling the grounds contained heroin and cannabis valued at more than £37,000.

The gang also smuggled contraband into HMP Onley in Northamptonshire.

Contraband was ‘flown to order’ into HMP Gartree

Former Staffordshire Police detective constable Clare Davenport, 50, Peter King, 53, from Wolverhampton, Kent George, 63, from Milton Keynes and Mervyn Foster, 46, from Wolverhampton, were all found to be involved in the criminal enterprise.

At an earlier hearing at Coventry Crown Court in August, King pleaded guilty to conspiring to bring/throw/convey a List A prohibited article into/out of a prison, conspiring to bring/throw/convey a List B prohibited article into/out of a prison, and conspiring to acquire/use/possess criminal property.

Kent and Foster were found guilty of the same offences following a trial which ended at Coventry Crown Court yesterday (September 29).

Davenport pleaded guilty at Coventry Crown Court in August to conspiring to acquire/use/possess criminal property.

HMP Gartree

Detective Inspector Carrie Powers from Northamptonshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team said: “This was a very complex investigation involving a number of agencies and I am really pleased that not only did we stop these drone drops from happening, but that the people responsible have been brought to justice.”

A gross misconduct hearing held by Staffordshire Police on August 3, 2023, concluded that Davenport would have been dismissed if she had not already retired.

All four offenders will be sentenced on November 17th.