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NM inmates get creative with contraband smuggling

Authorities have found drugs smuggled in a sonogram picture and a greeting card

By C1 Staff

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico prisons are having to get creative when it comes to tracking d own contraband smuggling.

KOAT reports that authorities recently found drugs smuggled in a sonogram picture and a greeting card. Each time, the drug was Suboxone. A K-9 was able to detect the drug.

“The inmates will call their families and say, ‘it’s not a big deal. Just bring it to me.’ And they don’t even know what they’re doing sometimes,” said one source. “They will face criminal charges.”

Chewing gum and cigarettes are also considered contraband.

“Chewing gum is contraband in here because you can make a key mold out of it,” said New Mexico Department of Corrections spokeswoman Alex Tomlin.

Cell phones are a big concern, as inmates can use them to contact victims, carry out scams or worse.

“They can try and order a hit on an officer, and these officers work one of the hardest beats in New Mexico,” Tomlin said. “If you brought it to an inmate and we find out, we’ll happily welcome you to our prison system as a new inmate.”

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