Prison nurse stuffed bra full of drugs and tobacco for her inmate lover

Sara Kachach, pictured outside court
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A prison nurse who smuggled drugs and tobacco into jail hidden in her bra after hooking up with an inmate has been jailed.

Sara Kachach abused her trusted position as a drug and alcohol recovery practitioner nurse to bypass security and bring the illicit items into Strangeways, a court heard. The 31-year-old struck up a relationship with prisoner Kasim Ahmed, 29, and smuggled in cannabis, ketamine, cocaine and tobacco in her bra.

An investigation, led by the the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the HMPPS National Counter Corruption Team, uncovered herinvolvement in the 'sophisticated operation'. Ahmed was due to be released in November 2022 was found in his cell talking on a mobile phone in April of that year.

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The phone was seized, along with a memory stick. Following that, Kachach was arrested at the prison on August 10, 2022. She was taken to a police custody suite, where she was searched.

She's now been jailed
She's now been jailed

Cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, and tobacco were found hidden in her bra. Officers also recovered a condom containing cannabis. A search of her office at HMP Manchester revealed a large quantity of cannabis, various steroid tablets and tobacco hidden in her personal drawer in a smell-proof bag.

A search of her home address led to the seizure of a substantial amount of cash, mobile phones, and SIM cards. Kachach was suspended and later dismissed from her job.

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Ahmed was arrested on December 2, 2022, shortly after being released on license from HMP Forest Bank in Salford. Police visited his home address in Bury and saw him fleeing from the driver's seat of a Porsche Macan registered to Kachach, who was in the passenger seat, the ECHO reports.

Sara Kachach was searched and found with cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, and tobacco in her bra
Sara Kachach was searched and found with cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, and tobacco in her bra

Further investigation led to Kachach being interviewed on suspicion of committing fraud by false representation after she had applied for finance for a car using false information. She refused to provide the officers with the PIN for her mobile phone and was later charged with failing to comply with a section 49 notice.

A further analysis of the mobile phone revealed over 3,000 contacts with Ahmed. The pair appeared in court on Thursday. Kachach, of Aird Avenue, Kilmarnock, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office, conveying Class A, B, and C drugs into the prison, fraud by false representation and failing to comply with a section 49 notice.

She was jailed for two years. Ahmed pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office and possession of List B articles, which included mobile phones, SIM cards and a USB stick.

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He was also given a two-year sentence.

Kasim Ahmed
Kasim Ahmed

Detective Constable Brian Johnston, from the NWROCU Prison Corruption Unit, said: "This case highlights the serious consequences of breaching the trust placed in prison staff. The actions of Sara Kachach not only undermined the safety and security of HMP Manchester but also facilitated criminal activities within the prison.

"We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that such breaches are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted."

A spokesperson for HMPPS National Counter Corruption Unit said: “This sentence reflects the successful joint partnership of HMPPS National Counter Corruption Unit, HMP Manchester and the NWROCU Prison Anti-Corruption Unit. HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit are committed to seeking out and pursuing the very small minority of corrupt staff who abuse their position and tarnish the reputation of those committed and hard working staff across the wider prison estate."

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