Drug drop drone driver detained for five years

A man has been jailed for five years today after being convicted of flying drones carrying £35,000 worth of drugs and contraband items into prison grounds.

Michael Tovey, 28, was found guilty of using two drones to transport quantities of cannabis and psychoactive drugs, mobile phones, phone chargers, SIM cards and needles into the grounds of HMP Birmingham.

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Prison officers observed the drone fly over the walls and into the exercise yard on two occasions on 29 October 2016 and 6 November 2016.

On both occasions, each drone was carrying a bag which contained the drugs and other items.

Data analysis of previous flights made by both drones revealed that they had been flown from or near to Michael Tovey’s home address in Erdington in Birmingham.

The bag being carried by the drone on 29 October 2016 was forensically examined and included Tovey’s finger prints.

It transpired that Tovey was supplying an inmate who was then selling the goods to other prisoners.

The defendant was arrested and today (19 December 2017) was convicted and sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court.

Edward Parton from CPS West Midlands said: “The prosecution team were able to use data analysis and forensic testing of the bag to link the drones to Michael Tovey.

“The defendant had previously been an inmate at HMP Birmingham and was trying to smuggle illegal items to an associate.

“The CPS are working with our partner agencies to identify, disrupt and prosecute anyone who transports illegal items into prisons.”