FLYING HIGH! Saudi man smuggles drugs inside prison using drone

A prisoner was supposed to sell the drugs to other inmates and send the proceeds to a certain bank account, according to Saudi Gazette.

By Web Report

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Published: Mon 5 Sep 2016, 1:27 PM

Last updated: Mon 5 Sep 2016, 3:53 PM

A Saudi citizen has been sentenced to 15 years in jail and 1,500 whip lashes for smuggling drugs into the main prison in Jeddah using a drone.
According to Saudi Gazette, the incident took place about two and a half years ago when a small remote-controlled drone landed on the roof of barracks No. 7 and 8 in Briman prison. It was carrying 1,997 Captigon narcotic pills and 115 grams of hashish.
A Lebanese expatriate was given a sentence of 10 years imprisonment, 1,000 lashes and deportation, for selling the drone to the Saudi man.
Seven other accomplices were sentenced to various prison terms ranging from three to 10 years while two accused prison guards were acquitted.
Saudi Gazette reported that the guard at the prison's control tower had spotted the drone as it landed on the roofs of the barracks No. 7 and 8 in the prison.
The drone was Chinese made and was operated by a remote control from a nearby place.
An intelligence report stated that the drone took off from a supermarket near the prison and was operated by two brothers of the main defendant.
According to Saudi Gazette, the report said a prisoner was supposed to sell the drugs to other inmates and send the proceeds to a bank account. Some other prisoners were lined up for retrieving the drone from the roof during visitation hours.
The Lebanese expatriate had reportedly sold 13 other similar aircraft before at SR4,000 to SR,5000 a piece. The report said that more than SR200,000 in cash was found with the members of the smuggling gang.
The attorney general however called for capital punishment for the main defendant. He said the main defendant was an old drug smuggler who served 15 years in prison before, Saudi Gazette reported.

• Saudi Arabia