Two people have been arrested after they allegedly utilized a drone to drop backpacks filled with various drugs into an Alabama prison.
Per AL.com, 34-year-old Lashawn Markeith Lamar and 29-year-old Shaquasia Lachelsea Owens were apprehended in Barbour County on Monday, June 2. During the early hours of the same day, Alabama Department of Corrections investigators were informed that there was a potential trespasser at Easterling Correction Facility in Clio. Owens was nearby driving a vehicle, which was described to investigators as "suspicious," and was detained. While police searched for the trespasser, Lamar, prison tracking dogs discovered two backpacks. Shortly after the discovery, Lamar was apprehended by authorities at a nearby home.
Lamar and Owens have been charged with first and second-degree promoting prison contraband, trespassing, and transfer of contraband by an un-manned aircraft. They are also facing first-degree drug charges, including marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
The confiscated backpacks included over 600 grams of meth, over 800 grams of weed, 150 grams of xuboxone, 38 grams of fentanyl, and 166 grams of synthetic cathinones. The pair could face additional charges in connection with the incident, for which the investigation is ongoing. It is unclear if they were working independently or on behalf of a larger drug organization.