Greenwich man jailed for nearly seven years after using drone to smuggle drugs, phones, and tobacco into prisons
Drone Crashes Crack Open Smuggling Scheme
A 26-year-old man from Greenwich has been locked up for six years and 11 months for flying contraband into multiple prisons using a drone.
Mahamood Diallo Blin, of Charlton Church Lane, was caught after a drone carrying drugs and a mobile phone crashed inside HMP Pentonville in August 2023. Police linked this to a similar drone crash at HMP Coldingley, Surrey, in 2022.
37 Drone Deliveries Exposed
Further investigations uncovered Blin’s involvement in 37 incidents smuggling Class A drugs, tobacco, and mobile phones into prisons.
He was arrested on March 5, 2024, following a joint probe by the 123 towards staff and inmates. It also hinders rehabilitation efforts for those affected by addiction. Blin’s sentence reflects the severity of his offences, and we hope it sends a clear message that offenders will be brought to justice.”
A spokesperson from SEROCU’s South East Prison Intelligence Unit added:
“Tackling the use of drones for smuggling contraband is a priority. By working with the Metropolitan Police Service and HM Prison & Probation Service, we have successfully stopped a major offender. We will continue to 1 together to disrupt activities that fuel organised crime inside prisons.”
Authorities Urge Public Vigilance
Officials continue to monitor prison security closely and urge the public to report any suspicious drone activity near correctional facilities. This crackdown highlights the growing threat drones pose to prison safety and the fight against organised crime.
