Hampstead Duo's High-Flying Drug Drone Ring Busted: Behind Bars for 7 Years!

Hi and welcome to this video production news update.

A husband and wife from South Hampstead have been sentenced to jail time for orchestrating an elaborate drone-based drug smuggling operation, targeting multiple prisons across the UK. Sajad Hashimi, 27, and Zerka Maranay, 28, were found guilty of conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs into prisons, as well as conspiring to convey prohibited articles into these facilities.

The couple's criminal enterprise came to light after a drone crash at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk in July 2023, where authorities discovered a package containing heroin, steroids, chargers, tobacco, SIM cards, and mobile phones, valued at up to £19,500. This incident triggered an investigation that revealed Hashimi had conducted over 100 drone flights into 11 different prisons and young offender institutes over a period of just over a year.

Hashimi's modus operandi involved attaching fishing lines and hooks to drones, allowing him to lower contraband packages into the prison yards. His wife, Maranay, played a crucial role in the operation by hiring numerous cars for Hashimi's transportation to and from the prisons, costing around £17,000. Additionally, she used her bank account to launder nearly £50,000 of the proceeds earned from piloting the drones and delivering illegal contraband.

During a search of their South Hampstead home, authorities recovered a drone and drugs, leading to Hashimi's arrest. He later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiring to supply Class A drugs, while Maranay admitted to conspiring to convey prohibited articles into prisons and money laundering.

In sentencing at Northampton Crown Court, Hashimi was handed a six-year prison term and issued a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order, to take effect upon his release. Maranay received a 15-month prison sentence for her involvement in the operation.

Despite crashing a drone at HMP Highpoint, Hashimi continued his criminal activities, acquiring another drone and making additional flights into prisons undeterred. The couple's scheme was finally thwarted when Northamptonshire detectives, investigating a surge in drone activity at HMP Onley, uncovered Hashimi's activities and subsequently arrested the pair.

Prisons and Probation Minister Edward Argar emphasized the significance of anti-drone measures in combating organized crime behind bars. He noted the effectiveness of beefed-up no-fly zones, drug detection dogs, and airport-style security in apprehending criminals engaged in illicit activities within prison facilities.

This case serves as a stark warning to those involved in criminal enterprises, demonstrating that authorities will vigorously pursue and prosecute individuals attempting to smuggle contraband into prisons. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, coupled with enhanced security measures, are vital in maintaining the integrity and safety of prison environments.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-Large

VPN City-Desk

citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk