By GLEN KEOGH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: 01:14 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 01:29 GMT, 27 December 2025

Criminal gangs delivering contraband to prisons by flying drones into the grounds are making up to £50,000 per delivery, it has been claimed.

The use of drones has soared in recent years with HMP Manchester, also known as Strangeways, recording at least 220 drop–offs in just 12 months – the highest figure across prisons in England and Wales.

Gangs typically work in teams of two and use the remote–controlled devices, which can cost from a few hundred to tens of thousands of pounds, to fly in contraband such as phones, drugs and even takeaways. 

Cheap mobile phones can be sold in prisons for £2,000 while paper soaked in spice – a dangerous synthetic cannabinoid – or cocaine can fetch £1,000, one former inmate told The Sun.

'Some gangs are raking in £50,000 a go,' the ex–prisoner, who spent 20 years in jails including Manchester and HMP Hull, said.

'If you put five phones on a drone and deliver them, that's £10,000. Drugs change hands for huge amounts, and lots of sheets can be attached to a drone. Some prisoners are even ordering McDonald's to show off.' 

The gangs typically employ a drone pilot, known as an 'eagle', and a spotter who speaks to prisoners awaiting deliveries.

The Ministry of Justice recorded more than 1,000 drone 'drops' last year across the prisons estate. Sources told the Daily Mail that drone drops can be completed in as little as 20 seconds carrying packages which can weigh as much as 7kg.

The use of drones has soared in recent years with HMP Manchester (pictured), also known as Strangeways, recording at least 220 drop–offs in just 12 months 

Pictured: A 'no drone zone' sign hangs on the outer wall of the Manchester prison

Last month, Greater Manchester Police said more than 500 mobile phones and SIM cards were seized from inmates at HMP Manchester. 

Detective Sergeant Carla Dalton said phones behind bars are 'used to arrange drug deals, weapon drops and even plan violent attacks.'

In an interview with this newspaper earlier this year, Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, warned that drones could soon even be delivering explosives, after reports of large 'zombie' knives being delivered.

'If zombie knives [can] go over, then what else?' Mr Taylor said. 'Heaven forbid, something like explosives and prisoners attempting to escape.'

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'We are investing £40million in security measures to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars – including £10million on anti–drone measures such as window replacements, external window grilles and specialist netting.'