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Drone used to drop drug-filled backpacks onto Ala. prison grounds

K-9 units tracked down two backpacks containing hundreds of grams of meth, fentanyl and other drugs near Easterling Correctional Facility

By Carol Robinson
al.com

CLIO, Ala. — A man and a woman are under arrest for allegedly using a drone to drop two backpacks full of drugs into an Alabama prison.

Lashawn Markeith Lamar, 34, and Shaquasia Lachelsea Owens, 29, were taken into custody Monday in Barbour County.

Both suspects live in Huntsville and remain held in the Barbour County Jail.

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Alabama Department of Corrections investigators were notified at 4:30 a.m. Monday about a possible trespasser at Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio and later notified about a suspicious vehicle at a nearby store.

A sheriff’s deputy detained Owens, the driver of the vehicle.

Prison tracking dogs, while looking for the trespasser, found and confiscated two backpacks.

Lamar was taken into custody as short time later at a nearby home.

Both suspects are charged with first and second-degree promoting prison contraband, first-degree possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids, as well as trespassing and transfer of contraband by an un-manned aircraft.

Charging documents state the suspects used a SwellPro Fisherman’s Max Drone to deliver the drugs.

Authorities confiscated:

  • 686 grams of methamphetamine
  • 850 grams of marijuana
  • 166 grams synthetic cathinones, which are drugs similar to amphetamines
  • 150 grams suboxone
  • 38 grams fentanyl

The investigation is ongoing. and additional charges may be pending.

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