Jailed Prison Officer Was The Head Of Drug Smuggling Ring
Jailed Prison Officer Was The Head Of Drug Smuggling Ring, A former prison officer at HMP Hewell in Worcestershire, Martin Mills, has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a drug smuggling ring within the facility. Mills, 34, from Bromsgrove, was caught smuggling drugs and other prohibited items, including mobile phones and SIM cards, into the prison, often concealed in cereal boxes.
The investigation, which began in April 2018, initially focused on identifying prohibited items being brought into the prison. It soon uncovered that Mills was central to a smuggling operation. He was apprehended while entering the prison with the contraband items.
Further investigations linked several other individuals to the case, including prisoners in the blocks where Mills worked and their family members. It was found that relatives of the prisoners would deposit money into Mills’ bank account, and in return, he would bring prohibited items into the prison for inmates to sell.
Eight other people involved in the operation have also been sentenced at Worcester Crown Court. Their sentences ranged from four years to six months, with some receiving suspended sentences.
Detective Constable Claire Masters, who led the investigation, expressed satisfaction that all involved had been brought to justice. She emphasized that prisons should be safe environments and that the actions of Mills and his accomplices threatened this safety. She also noted that drugs in prisons hinder the rehabilitation of inmates, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining security and order in prisons, and the serious consequences for those who compromise these environments by smuggling contraband.
