First pictures of a London gang who smuggled drugs, phones, and other contraband into HMP Lewes in Sussex by throwing packages over the walls have been released. One large package was stuffed with 19 mobile phones, 32 USB leads, and five earphones.
Gang Members Convicted
Among the gang was Fatimaalzhra Yousif, who was in a relationship with a Lewes Prison inmate at the time. They were caught in March 2023 when police found an Audi allegedly linked to the prison drops. When stopped, police found white carrier bags containing cannabis and mobile phones, suspected to be packaged for throwing into the prison.
Chukwuemeka Anumnne, 30, from Dundas Road, Brixton, and Jay Lindo, also from London, were arrested for possession with intent to supply and for conspiring to bring or throw a List A and B prohibited article into a prison. Anumnne was also charged with possession of a bladed article. Lindo was found guilty on all counts on April 16. Anumnne was found not guilty of possession of a bladed article, but no verdict was reached on the charge of conspiring to bring or throw List A and B prohibited articles into a prison. A decision on a retrial will be made by the Crown Prosecution Service on April 30.
Further Arrests
In April 2023, police received reports of another man acting suspiciously near the prison. Police intercepted parcels containing wrapped drugs. Minutes later, they found Jahmal Swaby, 27, of Stonebridge, at Lewes Train Station. He admitted throwing items over the prison wall, saying, “I’m not gonna lie to you, it was me,” and was arrested. He later pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to throwing List A and B prohibited articles into a prison.
Police found texts on his phone sent to someone saved as ‘Zara’, discussing plans to throw goods into the prison. The messages contained bank details, which led investigators to identify ‘Zara’ as Fatimaalzhra Yousif, 23, of Kilburn Gate. At the time, Yousif was in a relationship with Yaanan Reid, an inmate at HMP Lewes serving a 41-month sentence for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.
Evidence and Convictions
Yousif’s DNA was found on multiple packages thrown into the prison, including those recovered from incidents involving Lindo on March 23. Investigators also uncovered evidence of ongoing communication between Yousif, Reid, and Swaby, alongside financial transactions from Yousif to Reid’s prison account. Yousif was arrested in September last year while visiting Reid at the prison. She was charged on November 22, 2024.
Yaanan Reid, 27, now an inmate at another prison, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy offences, in addition to possessing an unauthorised item in prison. He denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea at Crawley Court on December 30, 2024. The trial at Hove Crown Court for Reid, Yousif, Lindo, and Anumnne started on March 23 this year. On March 31, Reid pleaded guilty to all offences. Reid, Yousif, and Lindo were found guilty on all counts. They will be sentenced in August this year.
Police Warning
Sergeant Dan Thomson, Tactical Enforcement Unit, said: “Some people may think throwing drugs and other banned items over prison walls is a victimless crime, it isn’t. The harm caused by drugs is well known, and mobile phones inside prisons are used to organise further criminal activity, intimidate witnesses and victims, and continue offending from behind bars. These items also put prison officers’ safety at risk, fuel violence inside our prisons, and undermine efforts to rehabilitate offenders. That is exactly why we launched Operation Culprit, to target those responsible and stop this dangerous activity. Let this be a clear warning: if you are involved in throwing parcels into prison, you will be identified, you will be arrested, and you will face a prison sentence.”
Karen Leak, Head of Security at HMP Lewes, added: “Through our close work with the police we are closing in on the criminals attempting to smuggle drugs and other contraband that wreak havoc behind bars. As this case shows, our hardworking staff are using every tool at their disposal to detect, disrupt and stop this behaviour, and bring offenders to justice.”
