Prison Drone Intercepted: Officers Seized $324,000 in Contraband

Virginia prison officials stopped a package that held an estimated $324,000 worth of contraband after workers spotted a drone trying to fly into the facility. The incident happened at Sussex I State Prison around 1:30 a.m. Monday according to authorities. Inside the suspicious box sat a one-pound bag of suspected methamphetamine and more than a dozen cellphones with charging cables. Officials also found 20 sheets of paper soaked in an unknown liquid along with multiple hex wrenches, three USB Wi-Fi adapters, and two SIM cards.

The seizure included several other items that seemed out of place for a prison environment. The list grew to include 30 disposable lighters, two cartons of cigarettes, one pound of loose-leaf tobacco, three packs of cigars, two bottles of professional-grade tattoo ink, two bottles of perfume, and two bottles of glue. VADOC estimated the total value of all these goods at roughly $324,000 inside the prison walls.

VADOC Director Joseph Walters called the event a stark reminder that smugglers use very sophisticated methods to get drugs and dangerous items into correctional facilities. "This investigation is an important reminder that some people will use sophisticated methods in an attempt to smuggle drugs and other dangerous contraband into Virginia Department of Corrections facilities," Walters said in a statement released by the agency.

He praised the staff at Sussex I State Prison for their vigilance and focus on keeping the facility safe. "I thank our institutional staff at Sussex I State Prison for their vigilance and focus on ensuring the safety and security of our facility," he continued. Walters noted that dedicated correctional staff and OLES members stand ready to intercept any dangerous contraband individuals might try to introduce into these settings. Their goal is to ensure the safety of corrections team members, incarcerated individuals, probationers, and people in communities across Virginia.

The Office of Law Enforcement Services remains investigating the incident. Anyone with information about attempted smuggling into a VADOC facility should call OLES at 540-830-9280.