Large Drone and Contraband Seized in Failed Prison Drop Attempt

A large unmanned aerial drone and potential prison contraband were confiscated by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office following an attempted traffic stop on August 4. The incident, which remains under investigation, highlights the ongoing challenge of drone-facilitated smuggling attempts at correctional facilities, according to the Bluffton Today.

Drone Activity Prompts Police Response

Around 6 a.m. on August 4, the sheriff’s office received reports of two drones taking off from nearby solar panel fields and flying over the Ridgeland Correctional Institute in South Carolina. Deputies responded to the area, aware of past incidents where drones were used to drop contraband into the prison.

Failed Traffic Stop Leads to Chase

While patrolling known drone launch sites, deputies encountered two men at the Snookie Lane entrance to the solar fields. One man was standing outside a car with a black backpack, with a large drone on the ground nearby. As officers attempted to make a traffic stop, the suspects fled, leading to a chase from Fordville Road to Bees Creek Coosaw Scenic Drive. The men eventually abandoned their vehicle and escaped on foot into the woods and marsh.

Contraband and Drone Seized

A search of the abandoned vehicle yielded significant finds:

• One large drone
• 99 grams of marijuana
• 12 bricks of tobacco
• Rolling papers and lighters
• The driver’s cell phone
• One unopened box of new AirPods

Christian Felt, Public Information Officer for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, stated on August 14 that the investigation was ongoing.

Ongoing Issue of Drone Smuggling

“In the past few years police have intercepted drones attempting to drop contraband into the Ridgeland Correctional Institution,” the sheriff’s office reported, underlining the persistent nature of this problem.

DroneXL’s Take

This incident in Jasper County underscores the growing challenge of drone-facilitated contraband smuggling at correctional facilities. As drone technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, law enforcement agencies are increasingly forced to adapt their strategies to counter these aerial threats.

This case bears similarities to recent incidents covered in our contraband category, where drones have been used for illicit purposes near prisons. It highlights the need for advanced drone detection and interdiction systems at sensitive locations, as well as continued vigilance from law enforcement agencies in monitoring potential drone launch sites.

Photo courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff’s Office