Peterborough prison smuggler who tried to pass drugs over in handshake

Matthew Tolcher was jailed for trying to smuggle crack cocaine into HMP Peterborough. Credit: Cambs Police

A man who tried to smuggle drugs to a prisoner while shaking his hand on a visit has been jailed.

Matthew Tolcher, 34, was visiting the inmate at HMP Peterborough in March 2022 when he tried to disguise the handover using a prolonged handshake and a hug.

But prison officers spotted the exchange and confiscated the wrap, which turned out to be crack cocaine and buprenorphine tablets.

Tolcher, of Essendine near Stamford in Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to conveying a List A prohibited article into prison and was sentenced to one year and 10 months in jail at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday.

Det Con Chris Enright said: “This was a great spot by eagle-eyed prison staff and I hope it shows how seriously we take these offences.

"Far from bringing prohibited items into a prison, Tolcher now finds himself in prison for his actions."

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