Drug dealer who escaped jail still on the loose 6 MONTHS after GB News captured moment inmate fled

GB News visited HMP Kirkham while 50 inmates were being released as part of Labour’s efforts to curb overcrowding in prisons.

However, Riley was not included in the crop of convicts leaving the Lancashire clink and made a break for it 205 days ago.

Lancashire Police almost immediately launched a search operation to recapture the 31-year-old.

While Lancashire Police and the Ministry of Justice said at the time that they were “urgently working” to recapture the inmate, GB News can confirm that the search continues.

Riley had been sentenced to spend eight years behind bars after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and possession of criminal property.

He was sentenced in April 2024 as part of Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Bowler drugs sting.

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The conspiracy, which resulted in 16 men being jailed, ran between September 2021 and July 2022.

The group were responsible for the movement of at least 75 kilograms of high-purity cocaine, which had an estimated street sale value of £75million.

When officers attempted to arrest Riley, the scantily-clad 31-year-old attempted to flee their clutches in his underwear.

Riley sustained several minor injuries, including small cuts on his hands, when he tried to destroy two mobile phones, which were later recovered by the police.

Despite his involvement in drug-related crime, Riley was serving his sentence at the Category D prison.

HMP Kirkham allows inmates who are deemed to pose a low risk to roam around in lower security conditions.

Offenders who abscond from an open prison are usually excluded from returning to an open prison for at least two years following their recapture.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “We’re urgently working with the police to recapture this prisoner.

“Absconds are rare, but those who break the rules face tough consequences including being moved to tougher conditions and extra jail time.”

Lancashire Police was also unable to provide an update on Riley’s whereabouts.