Drug Task Force agents in Crockett County thwarted a plan by two men to take contraband into the Northwest Correctional Facility in Lake County. Their plan, apparently, was to use a drone and drop fentanyl pills, tobacco, marijuna phone charges and other contraband inside the prison grounds.
Last night agents with the 28th District out of Crockett County were called out to assist the Bells Police Department. An alert Bells P.D. Patrol Officer conducted a stop on a vehicle heading west bound on Hwy. 412 for a traffic infraction. Upon stopping, one male passenger fled from the vehicle with a backpack and one male driver was detained by the patrolman. Agents assisted in trying to locate the fleeing passenger and with searching the vehicle.
Upon search of the vehicle, the Officer and Agents seized 48 “Dirty 30” fentanyl pills, 3-1/2 lbs. of tobacco, multiple cell phones with chargers, a Sony PSP, paraphernalia, memory cards, mesh bags and a drone with controller and spare batteries.
During the search for the fleeing suspect, Agents recovered the backpack which contained approximately one pound of marijuana.
Further investigation by Agents revealed the men were enroute to Northwest Correctional Facility in Lake County with the contraband. Upon inspection of the drone, it was determined that it was equipped with an actuator device that would hold the mesh bags full of contraband. The drone could then be used to drop the contraband inside of prison grounds.
One male has been arrested on charges of possession of schedule II and VI with intent and drug paraphernalia. More charges are expected to be coming. The The Office of the District Attorney General, 28th Judicial District, Frederick Agee is prosecuting this case.