Ministry of Justice grapples with rising drone smuggling of drugs and household items

London, UK — The number of drones smuggling drugs into prisons in England and Wales skyrocketed to more than 1,000 last year, marking a nearly tenfold increase since 2020. According to official figures, the number of drone-related incidents climbed to 1,063 in 2023, up from just 111 in 2020, revealing a troubling trend in aerial smuggling.

These drones are often used to deliver drugs such as cocaine and cannabis, which fetch significantly higher prices inside prisons — up to five times their street value. In some cases, drones have even carried household items like shower gel and tomato ketchup alongside illegal substances, further complicating the issue.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has responded by introducing new counter-drone legislation in January 2024 to combat this growing problem. Despite these efforts, organized crime groups have continued to exploit this method of smuggling, using drones to bypass traditional security measures and deliver contraband to inmates.

The rapid rise in drone incidents, more than doubling from 2022, underscores the challenges faced by authorities in curbing this new method of smuggling, with law enforcement agencies constantly fighting to stay ahead of criminal gangs exploiting the technology.