Over 1 kg of contraband seized at Collins Bay Institution after suspected drone drops

Last week, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) seized several packages at Collins Bay Institution suspected of making their way onto the federal property in what has become one of the more common forms of smuggling contraband into correctional facilities.

“As the result of the vigilance of staff members,” the packages, which contained contraband and unauthorized items, were seized at the institution between Monday, Aug. 7 and Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, according to CSC.

The national correctional authority suspects the packages were dropped by drone onto the property of the medium-security prison. In a press release today, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, CSC detailed that items seized as a result included 995 grams of cannabis, 578 grams of tobacco, 72 grams of shatter (cannabis concentrate), as well as cellphones and accessories.

“The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs and contraband from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors,” CSC said.

Additionally, CSC has a telephone tip line set up specifically to receive information about activities related to security at any federal institution. Those activities “may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members” at those institutions, according to CSC. The tip line, which allows callers to remain anonymous, can be reached at 1-866-780-3784.