Drone 'intercepted' delivering 'large quantity' of drugs and mobile phones to Irish prison

A drone delivering "a large quantity of contraband" was intercepted while making a delivery to an Irish prison on Saturday. 

In a post on social media, the Irish Prison Service shared photos of the bust with a drone and a haul of drugs and mobile phones pictured. 

“Earlier today staff at Wheatfield Prison intercepted a drone delivery into the prison that resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of contraband," the post began. 

“The Irish Prison Service continues to have high level engagement and the sharing of intelligence with An Garda Síochána on a regular basis which is resulting in the seizure of contraband, arrests and significant disruption to organised crime involved in smuggling contraband into Irish Prisons.

“An Garda Síochána continues to support the Irish Prison Service operationally with ongoing operations in each relevant Garda Division, including Operation Throwover which is supporting the Irish Prison Service at Prisons nationwide.

“Operations such as Operation Throwover are intended to disrupt, interdict and prosecute attempts to introduce contraband into prisons.

“Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons."

Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence to the confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) or text line (086 180 2449). 

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