In Kingston, Ontario, a unique initiative is cracking down on drone smuggling at local prisons. A recent display showcased seized items like a basketball concealing tobacco and cellphones, along with fishing-lure-equipped drones repurposed for contraband delivery. This effort highlights the ongoing battle faced by law enforcement and corrections officials against innovative methods used by inmates and criminal groups to smuggle illicit goods behind bars.
Over the past nine months, a collaborative task force comprising local police and correctional staff has been actively combating illegal smuggling both inside and outside prison walls. The primary focus of this pioneering team is to intercept drone-related smuggling activities, marking the first specialized approach of its kind in Canada.
Spearheading this endeavor is Sgt. Jonas Bonham, head of the Kingston Police Intelligence Unit, in partnership with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and the Canada Border Services Agency. Their concerted efforts have led to a significant reduction in local drone drop incidents.
Drone smuggling emerged in Canadian prisons around 2016 and has since escalated, with a notable increase in reported incidents nationwide. Kingston, home to four penitentiaries, has become a hotspot for such activities, particularly at the Collins Bay Institution due to its strategic location.
Smugglers have devised elaborate tactics, including using drones to deliver contraband disguised as sports equipment or employing release mechanisms inspired by deep-sea fishing techniques. The sophistication of these operations, coupled with the lucrative underground market inside prisons, has fueled fierce competition among gangs vying for control over airspace near correctional facilities.
Former inmate Lee Chapelle, now a prison consultant, acknowledges the dangers posed by drone smuggling, emphasizing the potential for violence and debt cycles among inmates. Law enforcement has adapted to these evolving challenges by enhancing charges against smugglers and collaborating with other agencies to share intelligence and combat the illicit trade effectively.
The Kingston task force’s success in curbing drone-related smuggling serves as a model for other jurisdictions grappling with similar issues, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to safeguard prison facilities and prevent the influx of contraband through aerial means.
