Fourth Man Sentenced in Cannabis Smuggling Plot at Prison Near Wolverhampton
A man described as a 'significant player' in a conspiracy to smuggle cannabis into a prison near Wolverhampton has been sentenced, becoming the fourth person convicted in the case. Loen Burton, aged 30, was involved in the internal drug trade at HMP Oakwood in Featherstone, where wraps of cannabis were disguised as Double Decker chocolate bars to evade detection.
Details of the Smuggling Operation
The plot came to light when Burton's telephone was linked to the scheme, which involved serving prison officer Robert Anderson bringing drugs into the facility for distribution. Anderson, from Birmingham, along with serving prisoners Waqqas Mughal, aged 36, of Smethwick, and Yousef Abdullahi, aged 31, had previously been sentenced to more than 11 years collectively for their roles in the smuggling, which occurred in 2022.
Burton, who is currently serving a life term for murder and has since been transferred from Oakwood, received a further 20 months in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday. He was convicted of conspiring to supply a class B controlled drug and given an additional five months consecutively for transmitting an image or sound from a prison without authority.
Investigation and Findings
The court heard that Burton did not play a leading role, with Abdullahi identified as the main orchestrator. Burton was not directly linked to Anderson but was involved in distributing drugs within the prison under Abdullahi's direction. An investigation by the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) revealed that Anderson concealed cannabis in Double Decker chocolate bars to smuggle them into HMP Oakwood.
In December 2022, Anderson was searched on prison grounds, leading to the discovery of drugs with a prison value of £13,000. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a large quantity of cash and a mobile phone, which showed significant contact with inmates. Further inquiries found that Mughal had hidden sim cards in his cell, revealing his communication with Anderson and several wraps of cannabis.
Cell searches of Abdullahi also uncovered illicit mobile phones detailing drug-dealing arrangements made within the prison, with Burton distributing substances as directed.
Defence and Sentencing Remarks
Defending Burton, Earl Pinnock stated that his client had spent most of his adult life behind bars, having entered prison at age 17. Pinnock noted that Burton had become a 'role model' to other prisoners, especially since his transfer from Oakwood, and was keen to serve his sentence and 'move on'.
In sentencing, Judge Richard Grimshaw remarked that he was being as lenient as possible, acknowledging that Burton's progress in prison had been marred by the offending. He emphasized that Burton was not the main instigator but warned that his future upon release would depend on his own actions, stating, 'You are a man now and have spent a lot of time in prison but have admirable plans for when you are released and that will very much depend on you.'
