By Robert Harding
The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.
AUBURN, N.Y. — The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is calling for passage of a proposal to restrict drones near prisons after one dropped a package inside the perimeter of a Central New York correctional facility.
DOCCS said the incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County. Employees there observed a drone flying above the prison before it released a package that landed between dormitory buildings.
| RESOURCE: How to buy drone detection (eBook)
The package was recovered by prison staff, who notified the New York State Police and DOCCS’ Office of Special Investigations.
A state police bomb squad responded because wires were protruding from the package, according to DOCCS. Once it was determined the package did not pose a threat, it was opened.
The package contained two eight-inch knives, approximately 530 grams of what DOCCS called a “green leafy substance,” five pieces of paper saturated in “intoxicating chemicals,” a cellphone, two hair clippers with chargers and accessories, and four bandanas.
The drone that delivered the package was found outside the prison. DOCCS said the incident is under investigation.
“Contraband introduced into correctional facilities fuels violence and puts both staff and the incarcerated population at risk,” DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said in a statement. “The use of drones to deliver weapons, drugs and cellphones is an evolving but imminent threat that our correctional system is facing as we continue to close off other means of introducing contraband into our facilities.”
Martuscello highlighted the threat posed by drones during his testimony at a state budget hearing in February. He told lawmakers that DOCCS is seeing an increase in drone activity near prisons. Detection systems have been used to intercept the drones.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a state law that would prohibit drones from flying within 500 feet of a federal, state or local correctional facility. DOCCS supports the governor’s plan due to the uptick in drones attempting to deliver contraband to prisons.
Hochul is also seeking to establish new crimes for unlawful drone activity, which would punish the operators who fly drones over prisons and other sensitive areas.
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, a union representing state correction officers, supports the proposal.
NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers said the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons is a “growing threat.”
“This trend poses a serious risk to the safety of both staff and inmates,” Summers added.
Hochul’s proposals were included in her 2026-27 state budget plan. The state Legislature is reviewing those proposals, with both sides working toward reaching an agreement by the start of the new fiscal year on April 1.
—
© 2026 The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.. Visit www.auburnpub.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
