From loaded firearms to flying arrows and gourmet spice drops, contraband cases in 2025 span the gamut from dangerously high-risk to outright unbelievable. Ranked by risk, creativity and sheer absurdity, here are some of the strangest contraband busts Corrections1 covered this year.
1. A loaded gun smuggled into a Michigan jail — hidden in a bra
Few contraband cases raise alarms faster than a firearm making it past security. Investigators say a woman managed to smuggle a loaded gun into a Michigan jail by hiding it in her bra. The weapon was discovered during the visit, and the woman was later sentenced on multiple charges.
2. Cocaine-stuffed arrow fired at a Pennsylvania jail window
Authorities say an arrow packed with cocaine was launched toward a jail window in Pennsylvania, turning contraband delivery into something resembling a medieval siege. Four people were charged in the case, which highlighted just how far smugglers will go to bypass perimeter security.
3. 10 charged in California body-cavity smuggling scheme — followed by intentional arrests
In California, investigators uncovered a scheme in which suspects allegedly hid drugs in body cavities, then deliberately got arrested to carry the contraband into a jail. Ten people were charged in the case.
4. Drone drops marijuana — and Old Bay seasoning — over a South Carolina prison
A drone intercepted over a South Carolina prison wasn’t just carrying drugs. It was also loaded with Old Bay seasoning, suggesting inmates’ contraband wish lists may be getting increasingly specific. While drones are nothing new to corrections, the “gourmet” twist pushed this case into head-scratching territory.
5. Georgia jail shakedown uncovers 20 shanks and synthetic drugs
A shakedown at a Georgia jail revealed more than 20 improvised weapons along with synthetic drugs. The coordinated sweep, ordered by Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley, covered every pod and cell in the facility.
6. Alabama K-9 units intercept drugs, knives and cellphones across prisons
Multiple Alabama prisons credited K-9 units with stopping the delivery of drugs, knives and cellphones in 2025. In an attempt to smuggle contraband into Ventress Correctional Facility, one suspect attempted to drop off packages with eight knives, 33 phones, 534 grams of meth and other items.
7. Woman accused of tossing drugs over a jail wall to reach incarcerated boyfriend
In Massachusetts, a woman was arrested after allegedly throwing drugs over a jail wall to her boyfriend inside. While perimeter tosses are hardly new, they remain a stubborn and risky method of contraband delivery.
8. Another Alabama K-9 bust stops drugs and knives before entering prison
In a separate case, an Alabama K-9 unit again detected drugs and knives before they reached a prison. One suspect was caught with 31 phones, 13 knives and drugs, while another had meth, marijuana and five phones.
9. ‘Super Bowl shakedown’ uncovers contraband at Arizona jail
A week before Super Bowl LIX, the Pinal County Jail Special Emergency Response Team and SWAT Team conducted a shakedown to root out contraband.
10. Texas corrections officer charged for smuggling chicken wings into jail
A Texas corrections officer was fired and charged after allegedly bringing chicken wings into a jail. The case proved that no item is too small — or too greasy — to undermine facility rules.
