Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Office of Law Enforcement Services (OLES) is investigating the interception of a large package containing approximately $324,000 (prison value) worth of contraband after an attempted drone incursion at Sussex I State Prison in the early hours of Monday, August 24.
VADOC corrections team members discovered a suspicious package at the facility at approximately 1:30 a.m. Monday. The resulting seizure led to the discovery of the following items:
- A one-pound bag of suspected methamphetamine
- One bag containing 20 pages of paper that appeared to be saturated in an unknown liquid
- Multiple hex wrenches of varying sizes
- Two small bottles of glue
- 17 cellphones with charging cables
- Three USB Wi-Fi adapters
- Two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards
- 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
“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,” said VADOC Director Joseph W. Walters. “I thank our institutional staff at Sussex I State Prison for their vigilance and focus on ensuring the safety and security of our facility. Our dedicated correctional staff and OLES members stand ready to intercept any dangerous contraband that individuals may attempt to introduce into correctional settings to ensure the safety and security of our dedicated corrections team members, of incarcerated individuals in our custody, of probationers, and of people in communities all across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Anyone with information concerning attempted smuggling into a VADOC facility is urged to call OLES at 540-830-9280.
OLES continues to investigate this incident. No further information will be released at this time.
