A routine traffic stop in Bennettsville led police to uncover a drone-based contraband scheme aimed at Evans Correctional Institution.
The discovery was made on Friday, June 2, after Bennettsville police pulled over a vehicle and found a commercial-grade drone and packaging materials linked to recent drops at the nearby correctional facility.
The challenges facing correctional facilities in the U.S. are well-known, with drones now considered one of the leading vectors through which contraband arrives in prisons across the country.
Following the stop, authorities conducted a sweep of the prison grounds and recovered additional contraband, including marijuana and approximately 82 grams of methamphetamine. Police believe the drone was being used to fly illicit items over the prison’s perimeter, a tactic that is particularly difficult to counter without UAS detection and mitigation capabilities.
Two individuals were taken into custody and face several charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and operating an unmanned aircraft near a correctional facility, an offense under South Carolina law.
While Federal Aviation Administration rules already prohibit drone flights over prisons, enforcement remains difficult. Operators can be hard to trace once the aircraft is airborne, and many drones lack built-in safeguards to prevent flights over restricted zones.
Experts say the incident highlights a growing security concern. High-end consumer drones are now capable of flying more than five miles and carrying payloads over two pounds – enough for narcotics, cell phones and other contraband.
Some correctional systems have begun deploying counter-drone tools like radio frequency jammers and net-based interception devices, but these remain the exception rather than the rule.
The arrests in Bennettsville come amid broader calls for updated regulations and expanded use of drone-detection technology at sensitive sites.
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