A husband and wife duo, Sajad Hashimi and Zerka Maranay, both hailing from Compayne Gardens in Camden, London, have been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a sophisticated operation involving drone deliveries of drugs into prisons across the UK. Their criminal enterprise, which spanned from August 2022 to October 2023, saw more than 100 drone incursions, with the majority of their activities centred around HMP Onley near Daventry, Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Police, upon noticing a surge in drone activity around prisons in January 2023, launched an investigation that culminated in the arrest of Hashimi, aged 27, and Maranay, aged 28, in October of the same year. During their probe, authorities discovered that Hashimi operated the drones, skillfully manoeuvring them to deliver drugs to designated drop points using fishing lines and hooks.
Among the contraband intercepted was a drone that crashed at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, containing a package laden with heroin, steroids, chargers, tobacco, SIM cards, and mobile phones.
Further investigation revealed Maranay’s complicity in the operation. She facilitated Hashimi’s activities by procuring approximately 20 cars, which he used to travel between 11 different prison sites, including Onley, Highpoint, Brixton, and Edinburgh. Additionally, Maranay laundered nearly £50,000 through her bank account, representing the proceeds from Hashimi’s drug deliveries.
The duo’s criminal enterprise eventually met its downfall when Kent Police responded to reports of a drone hovering over HMP Maidstone. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of a car laden with drug packages parked near the prison, along with a drone concealed beneath a nearby van, with Hashimi apprehended in the vicinity.
In court, Hashimi admitted to conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs into prisons, as well as conspiring to convey List B prohibited articles into prisons. Maranay confessed to the latter charges, in addition to money laundering.
Hashimi was sentenced to six years and one month in prison, while Maranay received a sentence of one year and three months.
This case underscores the evolving methods employed by criminals to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities, prompting authorities to remain vigilant and adapt their strategies to counter such illicit activities.
