Two people were arrested Saturday night after apparently planning to fly contraband into a Maryland prison using a drone, authorities say.
Around 8 p.m. Saturday, officers stopped a vehicle on a road near the Cumberland prison complex. The vehicle and two men inside it had been under surveillance due to information authorities received earlier, they said during a Monday morning press conference.
Inside the car, authorities found a drone, which they believe the men were planning to use to get contraband items into the prison. The items included a substance they believe is K2, or "spice," a dangerous synthetic drug, as well as tobacco and CDs containing pornography.
They also found a handgun inside the car.
"You can't make this stuff up," said Stephen T. Moyer, Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services during the press conference.
The two men inside the vehicle were arrested. One is being held without bond; the other is being held on $250,000 bond.
Authorities are also investigating an an inmate they believe was harboring contraband. After the arrests Saturday evening, authorities searched that inmate's cell and discovered contraband. Authorities are considering what charges to bring against that inmate.
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Authorities are trying to determine whether there had been one successful drop already, and said Monday that the investigation is ongoing.
They have not released the names of the suspects.
Moyer said authorities have recognized drones as an emerging problem with regard to getting contraband into prisons, calling it "very troubling." The drone found in the suspects' vehicle was capable of carrying about six to eight ounces of material.
