Three men have been jailed for their roles in a plot to fly contraband, including Class A and B drugs, mobile phones and SIM cards, into HMP Manchester using a drone. The sentencing followed a joint operation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), Greater Manchester Police and HMPPS.
On 6 February 2025, officers spotted a drone in the sky that appeared to have taken off from a nearby car park. When they attended the car park, they found a Nissan Micra parked between two large vans and a male holding a drone controller in his hand.
Arrests at the car park
Upon seeing the officers, the male threw the controller from his hand and began to run from police. When detained, he was identified as Nazar Al-Bakili, 35. Another male, sat in the driver's seat of the Nissan, was detained and identified as Duane Anderson, 37.
Officers found the drone a short while later with a package attached. Within the package were Class A and B drugs, mobile phones with accessories, and SIM cards.
Investigation reveals brother's involvement
Following his arrest, Anderson's mobile phone was seized and examined. Messages recovered from the device showed Anderson communicating with a contact regarding the supply of drugs, including a message that read: 'SLAB OF POLLEN FOR JAKE PLZ'.
A deeper look uncovered that Jake was in fact Jake Anderson, Duane's brother, and was part of the conspiracy.
Sentences handed down
Nazar Al-Bakili, of Barlow Road, Dukinfield, was sentenced to two years and 10 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey list A articles into prison, namely cannabis and cocaine, conspiracy to convey list B articles into prison, namely two mobile phones and chargers and two SIM cards, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs and class B drugs.
Duane Anderson, of Manchester Road, Worsley, was sentenced to three years and nine months after pleading guilty to the same charges. Jake Anderson, also of Manchester Road, Worsley, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey list A articles into prison. This will run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving.
Police statement on the operation
After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Dan Clegg, from the NWROCU, said: "This sentencing demonstrates our determination to target those who seek to undermine the safety and security of our prisons for criminal gain.
"The use of drones to deliver drugs, mobile phones and other prohibited items into prisons is a significant threat, enabling organised criminals to continue offending from behind bars and placing both prison staff and inmates at risk.
"Thanks to the strong partnership between the NWROCU, Greater Manchester Police and HMPPS, those responsible have been identified, prosecuted and brought before the courts. We will continue to target anyone involved in this type of criminality."
