$1 million worth of drugs allegedly dropped by drone into Queensland prison

Prison guards found a drone carrying more than $1 million worth of illicit and prescription drugs – as well as syringes and a glass pipe – inside a facility in North Queensland, leading to the arrest of a man months later.

Corrective Services officers found the drone at the Townsville Correctional Centre on May 17, which police will allege was carrying methylamphetamine, GBL (a nervous system depressant), various prescription drugs, syringes, a glass pipe, and a mobile phone with a SIM card.

A 47-year-old man was arrested in July and charged with five counts of supplying dangerous drugs into a prison as well as drug trafficking and dealing with a prohibited item in a corrections’ facility.

He was also charged with a drone offence related to the prison, and supplying medication.

Detective Acting Inspector Erica Gray from the Corrective Services Investigations Unit said stopping drugs from entering the prison system was essential to the safety of inmates and staff alike.

“These charges are a disruption to the supply of illicit drugs into Queensland’s correctional centres and reflect the value of regional partnerships and targeted intelligence-led investigations,” Detective Acting Inspector Gray said.

The man is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.