Police nabbed eleven suspects following a probe into illegal drugs allegedly delivered by drones into a federal prison in the US state of West Virginia. Authorities also said there was a minor among those arrested and another member who fled the police officers was later found dead.
McDowell County Sheriff James Muncy said his office was contacted in November by officials at the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution, McDowell in Welch as they complained about an increased number of drones in the area. The sheriff’s office also started receiving multiple tips about drone deliveries during the month of December.
The police officers said last week that they arrested the members from mid-December through early February. The charges included introduction or attempts to introduce contraband into a correctional facility, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, unlawfully operating a drone, terroristic acts and felony conspiracy.
He did not specify what drugs were allegedly flown into the facility or whether any of those arrested are inmates there.
A Louisville, Kentucky, man wanted on an outstanding warrant in the investigation fled officers on foot on February 9.
Members of the sheriff’s office found him dead last Thursday. The statement didn’t indicate where he was found, and his body was sent to the state medical examiner for an autopsy.
One of the arrested suspects is a minor, Muncy said. In addition, two suspects were charged with assault and battery on an officer and fleeing on foot. Another suspect in the case was charged with being a fugitive from Pennsylvania.
Most of the suspects remained held Monday at the Southwestern Regional Jail in Holden. Jail records didn’t indicate whether they have attorneys who could comment on the charges.
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