A COLCHESTER man has been charged as part of an investigation into drugs being smuggled into a prison.

Five people have been charged following a probe by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit into prohibited items being brought into HMP Wayland, in Norfolk.

Officers are targeting offending linked to cannabis and spice being taken into the prison estate.

As part of their inquiries, detectives undertook warrants at addresses in Colchester, London and Wyndham, with £100,000 in cash found at a house in south-east London.

Joel Barker, 35, of Firstore Drive, Colchester, had been charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited item in prison and two counts of possession of cannabis.

Jediah Clarke, 40, of Lyvedon Road, London, was charged with conspiracy to bring or throw a list A prohibited item in or out of a prison.

Oluwatosin Sowemimo, 30, of John Ruskin Street, London, was also charged with the same offences along with Sophie Emms, 27, of Pennycress Drive, Wymondham and Joy Wickham, 59, of Albion Street, London.

All five have since appeared in front of magistrates where Barker was remanded in custody.