Gang sentenced for prison smuggling operation

A former prison officer and a gang who smuggled drugs, mobile phones and USB sticks into a prison during visits, have been jailed for a combined 25 years, following a Metropolitan Police investigation.

Officers from the Met’s specialist crime unit began investigating in February 2024, when the Prison Service alerted them to a prison guard at HMP Isis, who had been suspended.

The Met investigation uncovered that the prison officer, Jason Thompson, had been involved in smuggling cannabis resin into the prison. He had also been using a burner phone to communicate with members of an organised crime group who are believed to have been responsible for a total of eighteen package drop-offs between February and July 2024.

The investigation began with enquiries into a local drugs line operating near several prisons. It uncovered the involvement of the Thompson, which exposed a link between a north London organised crime group and the supply of Class B drugs into the prison.

Officers found mobile phones, cannabis, vape oil and USB sticks containing entertainment and pornographic material were being smuggled into prisons. The group arranged supervised visits through the booking system, during which the packages would be transferred into the prison.

Once alerted to the smuggling activity, officers began a large-scale, proactive investigation aimed at disrupting the criminal network. This involved the review of over 800 hours’ worth of CCTV and phone material to disrupt the gang.

They found the gang would communicate in code, an unheard slang, to avoid detection and would purposely turn off devices and dump them in order to cover their tracks.

The operation concluded with officers intercepting one of the packages, which contained cannabis resin on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.

Officers then carried out 11 simultaneous arrests across London, which led to officers seizing further items intended to be smuggled into the prison. Class A drugs and ammunition was found at some of the addresses.

Detective Inspector John Cowell, who led the investigation, said:

“The members of this gang, which included a member of prison staff, believed they were able to bypass the law and outsmart both the police and prison authorities.

“What they did not realise was that officers had identified the conspiracy early on and were already building a case that would ultimately bring them to justice.

“We will continue to work alongside the Prison Service to not only eliminate the organised gangs who seek to smuggle dangerous items into prisons, but also to root out those within who seek to enable their activities.”

Deputy Governor at HMP Isis, Stephen Forde, said:

"This sentence shows how seriously the courts view corruption by those in positions of authority, and should serve as a clear deterrent to anyone considering smuggling contraband into our prisons.

"The vast majority of prison staff are honest, professional and hardworking. Those who choose corruption put staff and prisoners at risk and damage public trust and I want to pay tribute to the staff at HMP YOI Isis for their vital work in bringing this individual to justice.”

Jason Thompson, 34 (03.04.91) of Stanley Close, SE9, admitted to helping the group as a prison officer, and was the link between the gang and the prison. He would earn around £400 - £600 per package.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and misconduct in a public office. He was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 17 February.

The others convicted as part of the gang are:

Olusegan Shobanjo, 26 (19.07.99), of Bristol Avenue, NW9, was the kingpin, directing the ordering, delivery and distribution of prohibited items into HMP Isis. He was found guilty of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison and facilitating the acquisition, acquisition or possession of criminal property. He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 2 April to five years’ imprisonment.

Andrew Opoku‑Edusei, 28 (13.08.97), of The Concourse, NW9, was a close associate who sourced prohibited items and helped plan and coordinate deliveries, including preparing USB devices. He was found guilty of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison, facilitating the acquisition, acquisition or possession of criminal property, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of cocaine, and possession of ammunition. He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 2 April to four years and six months' imprisonment.

Rama Wato, 26 (22.03.00), of Alpha Place, NW6, was the main courier, repeatedly smuggling drugs and USBs into HMP Isis during prison visits and receiving at least £2,300 for his role. He was found guilty of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison and facilitating the acquisition, acquisition or possession of criminal property. He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 2 April to two years and 10 months' imprisonment.

Prince Kunado‑Dwomoh, 27 (06.07.98), of Kenley Avenue, NW9, was a serving prisoner who helped source and distribute drugs inside HMP Isis and later continued supporting the conspiracy after his release. He was found guilty of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 2 April to two years and eight months' imprisonment.

Nathan Adjei, 26 (05.09.99), of Lutterworth Road, Northampton, was a serving prisoner who assisted with sourcing and distributing prohibited items once they entered HMP Isis. He was found guilty of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 2 April to two years and six months' imprisonment.

Jacques Hamilton, 23 (12.09.02), of Abborts Road, HA8, was a courier who smuggled drugs into HMP Isis during social visits, receiving cash payments including £500, before being arrested passing a package containing nearly 80 grams of cannabis resin. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 22 January.

Arian Kaseb, 21 (22.12.04), of Charcot Road, NW9, was a recruited courier who made unsuccessful attempts to smuggle prohibited items, including packages containing drugs and up to 30 USB devices. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 23 January.

Adedayo Shobanjo, 28 (22.08.97), of Bristol Avenue, NW9, was a key organiser outside prison, preparing packages, paying couriers and controlling a bank account which received more than £50,000 from 103 people linked to prisoners during the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison and facilitating the acquisition, acquisition or possession of criminal property. He will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 7 April.

Olusegan Shobanjo, Adedayo Shobanjo, Andrew Opoku‑Edusei, Jason Thompson and Jacques Hamilton were arrested at their home addresses on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, following the execution of simultaneous warrants.

Arian Kaseb was arrested later that day, on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, at the gates of HMP Belmarsh following his release from prison.

Rama Wato was arrested at his place of work on Tuesday, 17 December 2024, following a manhunt operation. Prince Kunado‑Dwomoh was arrested the following day, on Wednesday, 18 December 2024.

Nathan Adjei was arrested on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, following his release from prison.