Bristol men jailed for drone drug smuggling into Welsh prison

Two Bristol men have been jailed for 21 months each after using a drone to smuggle drugs into HMP Parc.

Nicholas Mann, 34, of Duckmoor Road, Ashton, and Kyle Morris, 24, of Richeson Walk, were sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court on December 4 following their guilty pleas for bringing prohibited items into the prison.

Mann pleaded guilty to three counts of smuggling at Cardiff Crown Court on August 15, whilst Morris entered his guilty plea on July 18.

The case began when South Wales Police Roads Policing Officers identified a VW T-ROC linked to drug supply activities in the area.

On June 17, at approximately 11.50pm, the vehicle was abandoned in a layby near the A4061, prompting an extensive search by RPU and the dog unit.

During the search, officers observed a drone delivering a package to the prison yard before returning to common land. They spotted Mann and Morris fleeing the scene.

A search of the area revealed Mann concealed in undergrowth, whilst Morris was found nearby with a shopping bag containing a drone propeller.

Upon arrest, officers seized a mobile phone from Mann and later recovered a package dropped within the prison grounds. The package, described as a black sock with fishing wire, was found to contain illicit substances believed to be cannabis and spice.

DS Lia Jones said: “This case highlights the ongoing efforts of South Wales Police and HMP Parc to combat drug smuggling and maintain safety within prison facilities.”