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Drone Delivery of Contraband Foiled at SC Prison

12/14/2025

40 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A drone carrying a holiday meal attempted to deliver crab legs, steak, Old Bay seasoning, marijuana, and cigarettes to inmates at Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections intercepted the package mid-flight and recovered both the drone and its contents.
No arrests have been made, and the episode highlights ongoing contraband smuggling concerns.

History

Historical Context

Since the FAA began regulating drone usage in 2015, incidents of drones delivering contraband to prisons have increased, reflecting a trend seen in previous smuggling methods. Notably, between 2013 and 2015, drones were reported delivering items into U.S. prisons on multiple occasions, prompting concerns over security and potential legislative changes regarding drone regulations and prison contraband policies.

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Story summary

A drone carrying a holiday meal attempted to deliver crab legs, steak, Old Bay seasoning, marijuana, and cigarettes to inmates at Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections intercepted the package mid-flight and recovered both the drone and its contents.
No arrests have been made, and the episode highlights ongoing contraband smuggling concerns.

1 / 2