A shocking conspiracy has been uncovered involving inmates at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales, who orchestrated the smuggling of drugs and mobile phones into the prison with the help of friends and family. Three inmates, Ryan Goodwin, Carlos McIntosh, and Delvine Harris, were identified as the masterminds behind the operation, using an illegal phone from within the prison to coordinate the activities. From August 1, 2019, to November 18, 2020, the trio worked in tandem with their contacts on the outside to smuggle class A and B drugs, as well as mobile phones, into the jail, Cardiff Crown Court revealed during a recent sentencing hearing.
The elaborate conspiracy involved the inmates using various means to get the contraband into the prison. These methods included the use of couriers, empty plastic bottles with hooks to throw over the prison wall, and concealing drugs in footwear. Despite their efforts, authorities foiled three smuggling attempts, leading to the unraveling of the operation. The first attempt involved Acacia Richards, who was caught with 49.3g of cannabis intended for Harris inside HMP Parc. This incident marked the beginning of the end for the conspirators as their activities were brought to light.
The collaborative effort between the inmates and their associates outside the prison was intricate and well-organized, with bank transfers and coded messages used to facilitate the illegal trade. The court heard how Catherine Goodwin, Sinead Brennan, and Steven Pinnock played key roles in managing the financial aspects of the operation, ensuring the smooth flow of drugs and phones into the prison. Messages exchanged on the illegal phone line hinted at Catherine Goodwin’s residence in Birmingham being used as a staging ground for the illicit activities.
As the authorities delved deeper into the matter, more individuals were implicated in the conspiracy, including Sophie Carter, Daniel Moore, and Ashley Woodend, who were apprehended in separate incidents attempting to smuggle drugs and phones into the prison. The discovery of these additional accomplices shed more light on the extent of the operation and the lengths to which the conspirators had gone to circumvent prison security measures.
Following a thorough investigation and subsequent trial, Judge Lucy Crowther handed down sentences to the defendants involved in the smuggling ring. Ryan Goodwin received five years imprisonment, while McIntosh and Harris were sentenced to three years and one month, and three years and nine months, respectively. The individuals outside the prison who aided in the conspiracy also faced repercussions, with Brennan, Catherine Goodwin, Pinnock, Richards, and Carter each receiving suspended prison sentences for their roles in the illicit scheme.
The revelations surrounding the drug and phone smuggling operation at HMP Parc have shocked the local community and raised concerns about the efficacy of prison security measures. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges authorities face in preventing contraband from entering correctional facilities and the lengths to which some individuals will go to flout the law. As the defendants begin to serve their sentences, the impact of their actions on the prison system and society at large remains a topic of ongoing discussion.