Bungling drug smuggler's fourth throw lands him in prison

A hapless drug smuggler was caught on CCTV failing three times to throw a parcel of Class A drugs over a prison wall, before finally succeeding on the fourth attempt, only for a vigilant guard to spot it instantly.

Joshua Smith, 30, was filmed topless as he repeatedly hurled a black package containing drugs and a mobile phone towards HMP Hull in East Yorkshire. The footage shows the package bouncing off the brick wall and falling back to the ground on three separate occasions, before Smith finally managed to get it over on his fourth throw on July 11, 2025.

However, his efforts were in vain. A prison officer witnessed the parcel landing in the grounds and immediately reported the incident. The package was intercepted, and inside officers discovered a mixture of Class A and B drugs, along with a mobile phone, with an estimated street value of £12,000.

How was Joshua Smith caught?

Following the report, an investigation was launched by Humberside Police. CCTV footage from outside the prison was acquired, showing a man making several unsuccessful attempts before finally getting the package over the wall. This evidence led to the identification and arrest of Smith.

When questioned, Smith initially indicated that he had thrown the package, but quickly changed his answers to 'no comment'. The 30-year-old, of no fixed abode, appeared at Hull Crown Court on Monday, August 24, where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for two counts of throwing a prohibited article into a prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences.

What did the police say?

Detective Constable Heather Butler, who led the investigation, 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 urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour via the non-emergency number 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This case serves as a stark reminder that crime does not pay, and that the long arm of the law, combined with the vigilance of our prison service, remains a formidable barrier against those who would seek to undermine the security of our institutions.