A man, currently serving five years for robbery has been sentenced to a further 28 months in prison following a landmark conviction.
Cody James Ware, 27, originally from Plymouth was found in possession of a new psychoactive substance (NPS) known as ‘Spice’ whilst in Dartmoor prison during a cell search on the 11th August 2016, he was sentenced earlier this month.
Detective Inspector Praveen Naidoo, said: “We’ve been told by the Home Office this appears to be the first conviction of its kind in a custodial institution in the country. It is a testament to the close working relationship between Devon and Cornwall Police and HMP Dartmoor, especially the officer in the case, Detective Constable Mike Lugger who succeeded in working together to secure sufficient evidence to obtain this conviction.”
“New psychoactive substances are synthetic drugs which were more commonly known as ‘legal highs’. Legislation on NPS or legal highs changed in April 2016 meaning it is an offence to supply or manufacture these dangerous substances. This result shows that we will take action on those selling or manufacturing these dangerous drugs.”
Detective Inspector Charlie Craig from the Regional Prison Intelligence Unit, said: “It’s not just on the streets that we have seen the damaging effects of NPS. In prisons across the country we have seen how these drugs can turn prisoners who are non-problematic, into unpredictable and violent individuals.
“We have worked closely to help support prison staff to not only spot the signs of those who could be taking these drugs, but also how to secure the evidence from those suspected to be distributing these items and to share intelligence with us to help to gain convictions where appropriate.
“Work continues between the police and prison service to raise awareness on the impact of possession of prohibited items in prison, and all are working hard to stop organised criminals from making money dealing contraband whilst serving a prison sentence. Whilst there is still more to do, this conviction shows that we are on the right path.”
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