Peterborough Prisoner Caught Smuggling Drugs and Phone
A Peterborough inmate has been slapped with extra jail time after being caught with banned items. Bilal Tariq, 20, currently serving 26 months at HMP Peterborough for drug supply in Bedfordshire, got caught red-handed last year.
Cling Film Package Full of Trouble
On 16 September 2019, after visiting hours, a routine search uncovered a small cling film-wrapped package hidden in Tariq’s boxer shorts. Inside were tobacco, cannabis, and a mobile phone. Experts valued the cannabis at up to £5,200, a premium price behind bars.
More Time Added for Smuggling
In June 2020, Tariq was charged with smuggling cannabis and possessing a prohibited mobile phone in prison. On 19 August, he pleaded guilty at Peterborough Crown Court and was hit with an additional eight months. This runs consecutively on top of his current sentence.
DC Mark Clapham said: “Despite being convicted of several drug offences elsewhere in the country, Tariq doesn’t appear to have learnt his lesson. Hopefully with the next few years in prison he will have plenty of time to consider his life choices and change his ways.”
A 20-year-old from Luton was also arrested on suspicion of smuggling prohibited items but no further action has been taken against him.