Prison officer caught smuggling £100,000 of substances and phones into jail

21 June 2024 , 14:52

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Farrah Jones was seen by colleagues going into the toilet at the reception at HMP Forest Bank (Image: MEN Media)

A female prison officer who smuggled more than £100,000 worth of drugs and phones into a prison has been jailed.

Farrah Jones,who worked as a custody officer for Geoamey, a transport service for inmates, was seen by colleagues going into the toilet at the reception at HMP Forest Bank. The area was searched, and two plastic-wrapped packages were found in a paper bin. They were later found to contain yellow and white tablets and cannabis resin, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Whilst they were searching the toilet, a prisoner who worked in the reception as a trustee asked to go to use the bathroom. “It is thought that, had the packages not been intercepted, he is the likely route by which they would have been further smuggled onto the wings of the prison,” prosecutor Henry Blackshaw said.

Steven Wimbleton was jailed for five years (MEN Media)

Jones, 28, had been captured on CCTV smuggling the drugs underneath her clothing, using a hot water bottle to hide her stomach. That evening, on November 30 last year, Jones was found sitting in her car, which was parked, with its lights on on Ashawe Terrace in Little Hulton by officers after they smelt cannabis in the air. Also in the car was her "close friend" Steven Wimbleton. Both were arrested and Jones tested positive for cocaine. The car was searched, revealing huge quantities of drugs, as well as multiple iPhones, Zanco phones, phone chargers and a knife.

In the boot of Jones’ car, officers also recovered a 9mm pistol with a live round, which was found to have Wimbleton's DNA on. Jones’ home, where she lives with her parents, was also searched and oficers found over £10,000 in cash hidden in her bedroom.

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At Wimbleton’s address, they found drug paraphernalia, a ‘body gun holster’, nine burner phones, numerous SIM cards and other drug paraphernalia. Of the packages recovered from Forest Bank prison, there was over 100 grams of individually wrapped deals of ketamine, 191 tablets of an unknown drug, 239 steroid tablets, and almost £10,000 worth of cannabis resin.

Officers also recovered a 9mm pistol with a live round from the boot of Jones' car (MEN Media)

The bags found in the car there was a number of items including multiple iPhones, chargers, liquid testosterone, Tramadol tablets, 39 SIM cards, two Wi-Fi dongles and 37 mobile Zanco phones. “The total street value of the items recovered was £29,264. That value increases within prison to sell for a premium at typical five times the value outside of prison, so the total value of the goods within prison is £144,895,” Mr Blackshaw said.

Jones was said to have no previous convictions, and Wimbleton had offences on his record for dishonesty, possession of a knife and possession of drugs. Mitigating for Jones, Michael James said: "She was not directing this, she was simply doing it at the request of others for reward.” He accepted there must have been previous drop offs by Jones due to the cash that was found in her bedroom.

Mr James said his client was in debt at the time, and had a previous history of being the victim of domestic violence, as well as problems with drug use. “She felt her mental health was spiralling down and so when an opportunity arose, she took it. She expresses real remorse and disappointment that she fell prey to that. She has lost her good name and her good character.”

Some of the drugs that were found (MEN Media)

Sentencing, Judge John Potter said: “Those items are used entirely for power and control in prison by organised criminals which inevitably undermines security in the prison itself. You fully know that your activity would place the welfare of prisoners and your colleagues at risk. These actions by you were inspired by greed and selfishness, carried out in a gross breach of trust bestowed on you by reason of your employment.”

Jones, of Spa Crescent, was jailed for four years, of which she will serve half in prison at HMP Newhall. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been set for November 12 where prosecutors will attempt to claw back her ill-gotten gains. She previously pleaded guilty to conveying a list A and list B article into prison, conspiracy to convey list A and list B articles into prison, possession of a knife and possession of criminal property. Wimbleton, of Shillingten Close, was jailed for five years. He admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of class B drugs.

Kelly-Ann Mills