Operation Dragonfire: Two jailed

Two men have been jailed under Operation Dragonfire - a multi-agency operation figting the illegal conveyance of items into Greater Manchester's prisons. 

James Rourke (02/02/88) of Ventnor Street, Salford and Mitchell Murdern (11/01/02) of Carina Place, Salford were today (Tuesday 27 September 2022) sentenced to four years and eight months and two years imprisonment respectively after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey list A, B and C items in to HMP Forest Bank.

The pair were caught after officers identified them as being two of the individuals on CCTV throwing parcels containing contrabanc in to the exercise yards between September and November 2021. Following warrants at their homes and associated properties, class A, B and C drugs were seized alongside a drone and mini mobile phones.

The investigating detective said: “The conveyance of illegal items into our prisons is a growing and evolving threat. Drugs empower Organised Crime Groups on both sides of the prison walls fuelling violence, exploitation and bullying especially due to the vast, inflated profits to be made.

“The close collaboration between HMPPS, GMP and HMP Forest Bank, under Operation Dragonfire, has led to the dismantling of this local OCG responsible for conveying a huge amount of illegal items into the prison. The number of throw overs at the prison has now fallen and it is a safer community at Forest Bank for officers, staff and prisoners.”

Anyone with information about this type of crime should contact gmp via gmp.police.uk or 101 quoting Operation Dragonfire via gmp.police.uk. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.