Joshua Smith, who was caught on CCTV repeatedly trying to throw a package containing £12,000 worth of drugs over the wall into Hull Prison before succeeding, has now found himself behind bars
A man who repeatedly tried to throw a package containing £12,000 worth of drugs into Hull Prison – but kept hitting the wall – has been jailed. Joshua Smith was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after his attempts – and eventual success – in making the illegal delivery were caught on CCTV with the package picked up by a prison guard upon landing. Footage released by Humberside Police shows Smith trying to throw the package over the walls three times before clearing it on the fourth attempt.
Smith initially tries to hurl it from the road but falls short and then makes his subsequent tries from inside the car park adjacent to the prison wall. However, twice more, it bounces off the wall and back towards Smith. He eventually successfully clears the fence and walks away.
Smith, 30, of no fixed abode, appeared at court earlier this week where he was sentenced for two offences following an earlier guilty plea. He admitted two counts of throwing a prohibited article into a prison.
Humberside Police responded to the report on July 11, 2025. After being spotted by prison officers, the parcel was seized and analysed.
Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Heather Butler, said: “Following the report from the prison, an investigation into the contents of the package and how it arrived at the prison was launched. The package was analysed leading to the discovery of an estimated £12k of drugs including class A drugs and a mobile phone.
“CCTV was acquired from the outside of the prison showing a man appearing to make several unsuccessful and a final successful attempt to throw a package over the prison wall shortly before the prison officer located the package inside the prison. Further evidence was collated leading to the identification of Joshua Smith. He was arrested and, when questioned, initially indicated that he did throw the package but quickly changed the answers to questions posed to him to no comment.
“Smith made the decision to facilitate dangerous drugs entering the prison. This behaviour will not be tolerated, and we continue to work closely with HM Prison Service to ensure those who engage in this type of crime are held accountable. Thankfully on this occasion the package was found almost instantly and never reached its intended destination. However these drugs could have had catastrophic consequences and facilitating drugs entering a prison is a criminal offence.”
DC Butler said the force “will continue to investigate all reports of drugs offences”. She urged everyone in the community to report any suspicious behaviour, no matter how small, using the non-emergency number 101. Crimes can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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