A brazen operation, unfolding under the cover of darkness, exploited a vulnerability in the prison system. A sophisticated network, likened to a sinister Uber Eats for inmates, was systematically delivering contraband directly into the hands of prisoners.
The ringleader, Shafaghatullah Mohseni, orchestrated dozens of clandestine “drops” across London and the South East. Between December 2024 and February 2025, his team utilized drones to bypass security, supplying a dangerous cocktail of illicit goods to those behind bars.
These weren’t isolated incidents. Authorities believe the seven-member gang was responsible for a staggering 75% of all drone deliveries to prisons in the capital. Their payloads included not only drugs – cannabis, Xanax, and Valium – but also miniature mobile phones and, disturbingly, weapons like flick knives.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Buzzbin,” began with a crucial intelligence breakthrough. Detectives established surveillance posts, meticulously tracking the suspects’ movements and analyzing drone flight data. The gang favored locations near Wormwood Scrubs, Brixton, Wandsworth, and Pentonville, turning these prisons into regular delivery points.
Police painstakingly pieced together the operation, identifying the drone pilots, navigators, and ground support – the “taxi drivers” and lookouts who facilitated the illicit trade. They documented 50 drone drops in just three months, a relentless stream of contraband flowing into the prison system.
The net closed in February 2025, with four men arrested near HMP Norwich. A search of their vehicle revealed a drone, cannabis, and a chilling discovery: a knife, highlighting the potential for escalating violence within prison walls. This arrest triggered charges against all seven members of the conspiracy.
The judge presiding over the case condemned the operation as a “well-oiled conspiracy,” acknowledging the immense challenge it posed to prison staff. Even when guards witnessed the drone drops, the contraband often vanished before a thorough search could be conducted, lost within the labyrinthine structure of the prisons.
Mohseni, dubbed the “grand delivery driver,” received a five-year and three-month sentence, reflecting his central role in the scheme. He had amassed over £30,000 in payments, funneled from relatives of prisoners eager to secure these forbidden items. The demand was clear: inmates were ordering contraband “to order.”
His accomplices – Hashim Al-Hussaini, Mohammed Hamoud, Faiz Salah, Zahar Essaghi, Mustafa Ibrahim, and Emanuel Fisniku – received sentences ranging from 27 to 33 months. Each played a vital role, from acting as lookouts to transporting the contraband and receiving payments.
The case exposed a disturbing trend, a growing reliance on drones to circumvent traditional security measures. Experts warned of the escalating risk, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response involving the prison service, security agencies, and advanced technology.
The Metropolitan Police vowed to continue its relentless pursuit of those who exploit vulnerabilities in the prison system. This successful operation served as a stark warning: those who attempt to smuggle drugs and weapons into prisons will face the full force of the law.
