Drone used to deliver drugs to prisoners

JEDDAH: The police have busted a gang involved in supplying drugs to some inmates of the Briman prison in Jeddah using a drone. The mastermind of the gang, a Saudi, two of his brothers and four other accomplices have been arrested and charged under relevant sections of the anti-drug laws, local media reported, quoting sources close to the investigation.
The eighth suspect, a Lebanese expat, faces the charge of importing radio-controlled drone, which is banned in Saudi Arabia. The drone used in the crime has been confiscated.
A four-month probe by the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution has made some startling revelations.
The control tower at the prison first detected the landing of the drone with four propellers. It was carrying hashish and more than 2,000 narcotic pills.
The investigation found that the drone (45 cm in diameter) was launched from the parking area adjacent to the prison, sources said. It landed on the roof of a prison ward.
The leader of the gang was communicating with some convicts and the money charged from them was deposited with a number of banks in the leader’s personal accounts, the investigators said.
The Lebanese told the investigators that the price of the China-made drone, which was used in the crime, is SR10,000. A camera is fitted in the drone with about 300 meters vertical and 500 meters horizontal range, the sources said.
The investigation also revealed that the main suspect had bought 13 such drones and sent some of them outside Jeddah.
The investigation has found the involvement of top drug dealers in the case. One of the smugglers was arrested at a local airport.
Tests on the samples confiscated and sent to laboratories confirmed the seized material was hashish and other narcotics.
The first court hearing in the case will take place after the Eid holiday. The prosecution has demanded stringent punishment against the culprits.