A man has been charged following a foiled drone drug drop at HMP Erlestoke, a Category C men’s prison located in Wiltshire.
Oliver Onyeahasi, 25, from Aberdeen Road, Cotham, faces serious charges for attempting to smuggle multiple illegal substances into the prison using a drone. The seized drugs included cocaine, cannabis, anabolic steroids, and an unspecified Class C drug.
The attempted drone delivery occurred in the early hours of October 1, 2023, but vigilant prison staff successfully intercepted the operation before the contraband could be delivered.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that Onyeahasi has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 16 July 2025.
“The drone was successfully intercepted thanks to the alertness of prison staff and our rapid response. These charges form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs into prisons,” said a police spokesperson.
Drone smuggling of contraband into UK prisons is an increasing challenge for law enforcement. In addition to drugs, drones are often used to transport mobile phones, SIM cards, and weapons into correctional facilities.
The use of drones to deliver Class A and B drugs is on the rise. HMP Erlestoke, located near Devizes and housing over 500 male inmates, has experienced several similar smuggling attempts in the past, making it a frequent target for these high-tech drug delivery methods.
Originally published by UKNIP.
