A highly unusual attempt to smuggle luxury items and drugs into a state facility was thwarted by correctional staff at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina. Authorities intercepted a drone-dropped package containing a veritable feast of contraband, underscoring the escalating security challenges posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The seized package contained raw steak, crab legs, Old Bay seasoning, marijuana, and several cartons of cigarettes. The drone responsible for the drop was also recovered by the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC).
Serious Charges for Drone Contraband
The SCDC confirmed that the attempted delivery could lead to serious criminal charges. Under South Carolina law, the legal consequences for individuals involved in such activity are severe:
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Felony Offense: Dropping contraband into a correctional facility is a felony offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
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Misdemeanor Offense: Merely flying a drone near a prison without authorization is a separate crime, classified as a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail.
Escalating Security Threat
The incident highlights the continuous battle fought by the SCDC against the smuggling of illegal items. While traditional methods involved throwing or catapulting packages over fences, drone technology has introduced a more sophisticated challenge, allowing illicit goods to bypass perimeter security measures entirely.
Prison officials are currently investigating the incident, and no arrests related to the drone operation have been publicly reported yet.
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