Mohammed Sharif played a ‘leading and organising’ role in the conspiracy
17:46, 06 Nov 2025Updated 18:33, 06 Nov 2025
Mohammed Sharif(Image: GMP)
A man who flew a drone over prisons including Strangeways has been locked up after a haul of contraband he tried to smuggle inside was discovered.
Mohammed Sharif was spotted in the woods near HMP Manchester by undercover officers on patrol at around 10.45pm on September 21 .
The 22-year-old was seen using his phone underneath a tree close to the prison walls. Officers saw a large bag next to Sharif.
A large box and bag were later discovered, as well as a remote-controlled drone and items wrapped in socks, Manchester Crown Court heard.
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“These included a mobile phone and charger; tobacco and rolling paper; foil packages containing cannabis; MDMA; synthetic cannabinoid; and ketamine,” prosecutor Michael Goldwater said.
A bank card belonging to Sharif was also found. Checks revealed he had purchased items from a nearby petrol station that day. CCTV footage showed an illuminated drone landing on the road before being moved by Sharif.
Police later arrested him at his home in Birmingham home. Sharif tried to throw items out of a window. A charger for a drone was among the goods seized.
A Telegram message on his phone was discovered, reading: “The eagles have landed, that new route is magical, thank you.”
A Strangeways security manager said the offences contributed to risking the safety of prisoners and staff; creating a ‘culture of fear, intimidation and bullying’; as well potentially leading to violence, self-harm and drug debt issues.
While Sarif was awaiting sentence, police received a report detailing the flight patterns of the seized drone.
“This revealed flights over Manchester prison on August 30 and 31, over High Down prison in Sutton on September 10, three further flights over Manchester prison and Feltham prison,” Mr Goldwater added.
Phone records showed Sharif used Uber taxis to travel to Manchester, Sutton and London on the same dates. His Snapchat account had images of aerial photos over Swinfen Fall prison and High Down prison.
On April 10 this year, officers went to Forest Bank prison to speak to Sharif. Prosecutors said it was a ‘commercial enterprise’ and that Sharif ‘targeted multiple prisons’.
John Richards, defending, said Sharif was trying to clear a cannabis debt. He said his parents had ‘distanced themselves’ and that he had separated from his long-term girlfriend.
“His debt were increasing and he chose the option to do what he was told to do,” the barrister added. “He flew the drone for recreational purposes, and he was told he could fly them into the prison to pay off the debt.”
Jailing Sharif, of Gowan Road, Birmingham, for six years, the Recorder of Manchester, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “It seems to me to be clear you did play a leading and organising role, a main role, in this widespread conspiracy. This sort of offending is widespread and highly problematic.”
Sharif pleaded guilty to eight counts of conspiring to bring prohibited items into prison; and one count of possessing cannabis.