Increased Sentence for Conspiracy to Smuggle Contraband into Prison
Dimitrije Dragovic, a resident of Thurnscoe in South Yorkshire, has had his prison sentence extended by an additional year and two months following a referral to the Court of Appeal by Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP. This referral was made under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows for the review of sentences deemed insufficiently harsh for serious crimes.
The case against Dragovic involved a comprehensive surveillance operation conducted by police, which tracked him from his home to London on 14 November 2025, where he was set to meet with co-conspirators. The following day, he checked into a hotel in Suffolk under an alias and retrieved a bag from a vehicle, indicating he was preparing to proceed with his illicit activities.
During the early hours of 16 November, Dragovic departed the hotel with the bag in hand, took a taxi to the A143, and subsequently made his way to a nearby field. However, upon realising that he was being monitored, he discarded the bag and attempted to escape by crossing a river. His flight was short-lived, as police dogs quickly apprehended him.
Contents of the Bag and Their Implications
The bag that Dragovic attempted to dispose of contained a drone capable of flying over three miles, along with cannabis, tobacco, mobile phones, SIM cards, dongles, and charging equipment. Notably, the drone was within the operational range of HMP Highpoint, where the contraband was intended to be smuggled.
Attorney General Reeves expressed her satisfaction with the Court of Appeal’s decision to enhance Dragovic’s sentence, emphasising that conspiring to introduce a drone, mobile phones, and drugs into a prison is a serious offence. She pointed out that such devices enable organised criminals to orchestrate illegal activities from within prison walls, thereby compromising public safety.
Reeves also acknowledged the diligent work of Suffolk Constabulary, whose surveillance efforts were pivotal in disrupting the conspiracy that ultimately led to Dragovic’s conviction.
Details of the Sentencing
On 20 February 2026, Ipswich Crown Court sentenced Dimitrije Dragovic to two years and two months of imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to convey a list A article into or out of prison and conspiracy to convey a list B item into or out of prison, as well as breaching a suspended sentence order.
However, the Court of Appeal reviewed the case and, on 19 August 2026, determined that the original sentence was inadequate, resulting in an increased sentence of three years and four months for Dragovic. This decision underscores the seriousness of his actions and the commitment of the judicial system to uphold the law and protect public safety.