Nurse at Yorkshire prison caught smuggling £500,000 worth of drugs in "biggest bust ever"

The medical employee at HMP Lindholme was searched after information was passed to South Yorkshire Police officers working within the prison estate.

She was found to have contraband including class A, B and C drugs worth half a million on the streets.

The work was part of Operation Canyon which focuses on staff corruption and financial conspiracy around drug supply and money laundering.

Officers began to increase investigations in the summer of 2019 as HMP Lindholme experienced a rise in medical cases involving Spice which included at least one death involving the drug.

After the woman’s arrest, further investigation uncovered a ‘sophisticated network of conspirators’ from within the jail and their families.

Financial evidence reveals a laundering of £500,000 cash from the supply of drugs in prison.

The Crown Prosecution Service has informed South Yorkshire Police that the case at this time stands as the ‘largest known haul in the nation’.

A group of 11 defendants are currently charged in relation to the operation.

South Yorkshire Police also note the improved partnership working with the CPS which has led to ‘speedier justice’, faster court outcomes and a ‘notable change in offending behaviour’.

In a report to South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner’s public accountability board, officers said: “Acting on information, proactive officers searched a Nurse as she entered the prison on a routine shift.

“She was found to have contraband on her person including Class A/B/C drugs that has a street value of over half a million pounds.

“Subsequent enquiries have uncovered a sophisticated network of conspirators from within the jail and their families. Financial evidence reveals a laundering of £500,000 cash from the supply of drugs in prison.

“The CPS have informed SYP that this case at this time stands as the largest known haul in the Nation. 11 defendants are currently charged in relation to this operation.”