The discovery of some Ribena bottles that instead of the soft drink actually contained a liquid form of spice has helped police uncover one of the UK's largest prison drug smuggling operations.
Nearly 20 people have been convicted for their roles in the drugs conspiracy, which South Yorkshire Police believe to be worth over £1million.
The investigation began in October 2019 when officers received information that drugs and other unlawful items such as lock knives were being smuggled into HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.
When officers searched prison nurse Amy Hatfield's belongings, they found multiple wraps of cannabis, tobacco, anabolic steroids, vials of liquid, MDMA, phones and chargers.
The 37-year-old also had several bottles of Ribena, which in fact contained a liquid form of the synthetic cannabinoid spice, Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent, head of South Yorkshire Police's Prison Anti-Corruption Unit, said.
He added: "The prison value of the liquid spice recovered from Hatfield that morning was estimated by prison experts to be around £1 million.
"That quantity of drugs found on one person going into the prison was undoubtedly shocking and set alarm bells ringing that this was part of something much bigger.
"As we started to dig into Hatfield’s associates and connections, little did we know that we would uncover such large-scale criminality."
Following a large-scale police investigation, officers discovered co-conspirators, arresting and charging them with multiple offences linked to the smuggling of substances and phones into prisons for large sums of cash.
A 19-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court concluded on Thursday with Paul Whittingham, 58, found guilty of money laundering – the last of the criminal group to face legal proceedings.
He was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones). Sentencing will take place at Sheffield Crown Court later this year.
Previously, Hatfield pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering.
Audrey Needham, 56, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering, while Lucy Whittingham, 36, pleaded guilty to money laundering.
William Francis, 56, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin), possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (spice and cannabis), and conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs).
Aneeze Williamson, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).
Natalie Williamson, 35, pleaded guilty to money laundering and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.
Lydia Pinnington, 22, of pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering. She appeared alongside Paul Whittingham on trial charged with conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs) and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones). She was found not guilty of those charges.
Joseph Whittingham, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).
Jordan Needham, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).
Courtney Ward, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
Deborah Stoddard, 56, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering.
Anthony Campbell, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).
Kora Haley, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering.
Lee Holmes, 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering.
Leighton Kemp, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering.
Talking about Thursday's last trial, DS Gent said: "Yesterday marked the culmination of a four-year investigation into one of the most significant and complex prison conspiracies in the country, unravelling a network of criminals both in and out of the prison system working to smuggle dangerous and illegal substances into custody for money.
"Our investigation began back in October 2019, after we received information that drugs and other unlawful items including lock knives were being smuggled into HMP Lindholme.
"We attended at the prison and arrested a mental health nurse as she arrived for her shift and what we found led to the unravelling of this group's criminal enterprise."
He added: "As a result of our tireless determination to uncover this criminal network, we have disrupted and dismantled an incredibly dangerous drugs operation that posed a significant risk to the prison population, it’s staff and the wider community."
