Mother and Son Busted for Smuggling Drugs into HMP Pentonville
A mother and son duo have been nailed for sneaking drugs into HMP Pentonville. Gary Grannells, 40, was slapped with three years and four months behind bars at Blackfriars Crown Court on Tuesday, 12 February, for possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.
Gary also copped an additional 16 months for unauthorised smuggling of Class B items into the prison, to run at the same time. Meanwhile, his mum Amanda Grannells, 55, dodged jail but was handed a one year and four months suspended sentence for helping with criminal property offences.
She must also slog through 70 hours of unpaid work. Both had already pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court.
Drugs, Phones and Smuggling Ring Exposed
The scandal erupted after prison officers raided Gary’s cell on 14 February 2017, seizing 234 grams of Spice and several mobile phones.
Investigators found Gary’s drug operation had been running since August 2014. Evidence showed Amanda was deeply involved, with suspicious transactions on her bank account linked to smuggling contraband into prisons.
Police also searched Amanda’s flat in W11, uncovering more phones, SIM cards, and accessories ready to be whisked into Pentonville. Bank records revealed she used her accounts to funnel money linked to the illicit operation.
Police Fire Warning to Prison Smugglers
Detective Inspector Mark Galloway said: “The sentencing in this case acknowledges the direct harm caused by these offences, which directly undermines the extensive work delivered within prisons to support and rehabilitate offenders.”
“The Met is committed to our close partnership with the Prison Service and together, we will continue to combat the organised criminals supplying drugs and phones into our prisons.”
Detective Sergeant Karen Smith added: “This operation targeted those paid to smuggle contraband into prisons. We’ll keep working with HMP to tackle the growing issue of prison smuggling.
“It’s great to see tougher sentences being handed down against offenders involved in prison crimes.”
