The vigilance of correction officers assigned to overnight perimeter security at Wallkill and Sing Sing Correctional Facilities resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of contraband that were delivered into prison grounds by drones in two separate incidents.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday, May 26, at approximately 1:15 a.m. at Wallkill Correctional Facility. An officer assigned to the outside grounds heard a buzzing sound overhead moving toward the facility yard. Moments later, the officer heard what appeared to be a thud in the yard and observed the drone departing the area. Supervisors were immediately notified, and a search of the yard led to the recovery of a large bundle wrapped in green plastic with a fishing line attached.

The package, weighing more than five pounds, was removed from the yard and transported to the facility package room where it was X-rayed. The scan revealed three separate vacuum-sealed bundles inside. Upon inspection, staff discovered multiple cell phones, SIM cards, cell phone charging cables, numerous security bits, bags of pills and 15 vacuum-sealed bags containing marijuana.

The second drone-related contraband drop occurred on Monday, June 8 at approximately 3:45 a.m. at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. An officer assigned to the outside grounds observed a drone flying over the facility and witnessed it drop a package into the yard before exiting the area.

The officer quickly located the package, which consisted of a clear plastic trash bag with a fishing line attached. Inside was a brown paper bag containing several vacuum-sealed packages. A search of the contents revealed more than 500 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, 15 pills, a set of Apple earphones and a cell phone charging cord.

All contraband recovered in both incidents was secured as evidence. The pills recovered from the Wallkill and Sing Sing were sent to a laboratory for testing. Investigations into both drone drops remain ongoing.

“There is a broader pattern of drone use to smuggle contraband into prisons as inmates and their associates continue to find new ways to introduce drugs, weapons and other dangerous items inside correctional facilities. The FBI recently identified the girlfriend of an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility who used a drone to deliver drugs into the prison in March. Elmira Correctional Facility has also recovered contraband believed to have been delivered by drone. 

These latest incidents at Wallkill and Sing Sing highlight the urgent need to identify and prosecute those responsible under the new legislation signed into law by the governor. Without successful prosecution, there is no deterrent for individuals who continue to use drones to deliver contraband into our prisons. These illegal activities only contribute to the already unsafe working conditions faced by correction officers and prison staff every day.

Joe Horacek
Mid-Hudson region vice president
New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA)
Wallkill, NY