The UK Ministry of Justice has reported that criminal gangs are now using dead rats to smuggle illicit contraband into prisons.

Staff at HMP Guys Marsh in the UK discovered three rats just inside the perimeter fence of the prison in early March. Each dead rat had been cut across its stomach and stuffed with contraband before being stitched back up before being thrown over the prison fence.

The contraband consisted of a large amount of drugs, including spice and cannabis, five mobile phones, chargers and three Sim cards.

The prisons minister, Rory Stewart, said: “This find shows the extraordinary lengths to which criminals will go to smuggle drugs into prison, and underlines why our work to improve security is so important. Drugs and mobile phones behind bars put prisoners, prison officers and the public at risk.

“By toughening security and searching, we can ensure prisons are places of rehabilitation that will prevent further re-offending and keep the public safe.”

Previously drones, tennis balls and pigeons have been used to smuggle contraband into prisons, but it was thought that this was the first recorded instance of rats being used in that way, the Prison Service said.

Image; Ministry of Justice