Police in Virginia are investigating the recovery of a drone found near Buckingham Correctional Center. According to the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), the drone was carrying a package which contained a cell phone, three SIM cards and suspected drugs.
The VADOC reports that on August 25, 2019 a security staff member at Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn, VA discovered the drone with attached package on the side of the road outside the prison.
The VADOC posted details and pictures on Twitter:
On 8/25, security staff leaving Buckingham CC discovered a drone on the side of the road with a package attached. The package contained a cell phone, three SIM cards and drugs. Virginia State Police was called to collect the items and they have launched an investigation. pic.twitter.com/v36WJK5Ytn
— VADOC (@VADOC) August 26, 2019
Earlier this week, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said that an investigation is underway, adding that there have been no arrests. Geller also said the suspected drugs have been sent to a laboratory for testing.
Prisons across the U.S. are seeing an uptick in the number of drones flying near correctional facilities. Drones are increasingly being used to deliver contraband such as drugs and cell phones to inmates. Earlier this year, Georgia Department of Corrections revealed they experienced an all-time high in number of drone sightings near prisons. Issues with drones delivering dangerous contraband to inmates are prompting states to adopt laws and establish penalties for flying drones near correctional facilities. Georgia and Delaware are the latest states to establish drone laws making it illegal to fly drones near prisons.