Drones delivering contraband to prisons a budding problem
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A package of contraband covered in grass clippings
that was dropped by a drone at a Panhandle prison is one of the most
recent examples of inmates using advanced technology to smuggle illegal
items behind prison walls.
The News-Journal reports
that authorities are investigating two confirmed drone drops at Florida
prisons in the last 30 days. One of those drops was discovered at a
Panhandle prison after correctional officers spotted the drone, which
was delivering a cellphone and tobacco.
The Florida Department of
Corrections declined to specify at which institution the drop happened
and would only confirm it happened at a prison in the Northwest region
of the state.
Officials say drones plague prisons across the
nation, and most corrections departments are trying to keep up with new
technology.
"We know that drones are a real issue," FDC
spokeswoman Michelle Glady said, adding that aside from the two
confirmed sightings, there have been several other suspected
drone-related drops.
A drone incidents factsheet provided by the
department says the drone was observed by a correctional officer, who
saw it successfully deliver contraband inside of the prison.
The
correctional officers immediately responded to the area where the drone
was spotted and found the package, which contained a cellphone with
accessories such as chargers, earbuds and a SIM card, and several grams
of tobacco.
The package was covered with dead grass clipping in an apparent attempt to camouflage or conceal the package.
State Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, said he was made aware of the drone issue during recent tours of area facilities.
"It’s
really a high-tech operation and the fact they’re obviously
coordinating with people outside to drop these items is scary," Broxson
said.
Glady said drone usage is plaguing prisons across the
nation, and most corrections departments are trying to keep up with new
technology. The department foresees some issues in investigating drone
smuggling operations because it can be difficult to determine contraband
was dropped by a drone unless correctional officers spot the device in
action, she said. Also, a drone operator does not need to be close by to
work the device.
Glady said any drone-related contraband cases
will be investigated by the department’s Office of the Inspector General
and forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.
"We’ve had two
confirmed sightings this year, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but in
years past, it was completely unheard of," she said.
State
lawmakers proposed legislation at this year’s session that would have
added prisons and county jails to the list of sites where drone usage is
prohibited, but those bills did not pass.
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