Two men jailed for drone smuggling into prisons

Yesterday (Tuesday 21st October), two men were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for conspiring to convey prohibited items into prisons using drones.

Curtis Carney, 36 of Coton Way, Kirkby and Robert Stoba, 26, of no fixed abode have been sentenced to a combined total of nine years and 10 months imprisonment.

The convictions followed a 10-month investigation led by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), in collaboration with Lancashire Police, Merseyside Police, and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).

During the investigation:
• 11 drones were seized.
• Drugs with an estimated street value of £31,000–£38,000 were recovered.
• Due to the inflated value of drugs inside prison, the prison value was estimated between £94,000 and £295,000.
• NWROCU detectives uncovered evidence that drones had made over 50 flights into six prisons: HMP Liverpool, Altcourse, Hindley, Wymott, Garth, and Deerbolt.

The investigation also revealed that Carney and Stoba frequently travelled in vehicles driven by female associates, and a large amount of drugs was found stored at the home of a vulnerable woman.

Carney was first arrested in June 2024 on the M6 in Lancashire. Before officers brought his vehicle to a stop, a large package wrapped in grass was thrown from the car. The package was later found to contain drugs and mobile phones, and a drone was discovered in the boot.

In October 2024, Carney was arrested again near HMP Liverpool. He was found in a vehicle with two drones in the boot and four packages in the footwells, each containing drugs and mobile phones. Investigators linked Carney to additional packages that had been successfully flown into HMP Liverpool by drone, also containing illicit items.

Due to his leading role in the conspiracy, Carney was issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO). This order will take effect upon his release from prison and will restrict his access to mobile phones and drones for a period of five years. Breaching the conditions of an SCPO is a criminal offence and can result in up to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Detective Chief Inspector Dan Clegg from the NWROCU said:

"This case highlights the evolving tactics of organised crime groups and the importance of regional collaboration.

“This operation brought together intelligence and resources from across the North West to dismantle a sophisticated network exploiting drone technology to breach prison security.
“We remain committed to protecting our communities and prisons from this kind of threat."

Emma Thompson, Head of the Corruption, Crime and Policing Unit for HMPPS, said:

“As this case shows, anyone trying to smuggle contraband into our jails will feel the full force of the law – and we will use every power available to disrupt their criminal activity."