A convicted robber and his partner have been sentenced to significant prison terms for smuggling illegal drugs into HMP Nottingham. Mark Staniland, 36, a serving prisoner, orchestrated the drug supply operation with the help of his girlfriend, Natalie Quinn, 42.
The pair were arrested after a covert investigation revealed that they were arranging the delivery of controlled substances to the prison where Staniland was serving a sentence. Police executed a warrant at Quinn’s Southport home, uncovering Class A, B, and C drugs, mixing agents, more than £7,000 in cash hidden in a book safe, and two valuable watches.
Using evidence gathered from Staniland’s prison conversations, mobile phone messages, and vehicle tracking data, the authorities identified five instances in 2021 when Quinn and Staniland had supplied synthetic cannabinoids and cocaine to contacts in Nottinghamshire, Doncaster, and Derbyshire. Police also discovered bags of cocaine and cannabis during the investigation.
It was suspected that Quinn and Staniland had been arranging to send spice-soaked paper and envelopes into the prison for Staniland and his associates. The value of the controlled substances and adulterants seized during the operation was estimated to be between £127,000 and £194,000.
Financial records also showed that Quinn was using her bank account to receive money from the family members of other prisoners housed at HMP Nottingham, many of whom were on the same wing as Staniland. The investigation revealed over £1,500 in payments from prisoner families, believed to be linked to the supply of spice paper. Additionally, Quinn’s bank account received over £20,000 during the same period, with no evidence of legitimate income.
After a thorough investigation, both Staniland and Quinn were charged with multiple offences. Staniland, now housed at HMP Garth, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin, cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids, and bromazolam. He was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison.
Quinn, from Cherry Road, Southport, admitted conspiring to supply similar drugs and possessing them with intent to distribute. She was sentenced to six years in prison.
Detective Constable Catherine Bolland from the Regional Prisons Intelligence Unit commented on the case: “Drugs have no place in prison and impede the rehabilitation of inmates, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. These sentences should send a clear message that anyone attempting to smuggle contraband into prisons will face investigation and prosecution.”
Bolland also praised the efforts of the prison officers who are trained to detect suspicious activities and who continue to work proactively to prevent smuggling operations in prisons across the region.