Two men have been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs, tobacco and other contraband into a NSW prison using a drone.
Police were alerted to a drone flying in restricted airspace above a correctional facility in Cooma about 1.10pm on Friday.
Officers from Monaro Police District traced the suspected operation to a nearby park on Barrack Street, where they questioned two men aged 31 and 38.
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A search of the men and a vehicle allegedly uncovered equipment used to operate the drone, along with mobile phones and SIM cards.
Police later recovered the drone from a nearby creek, where it had allegedly been abandoned with a package attached.
The package contained cannabis, tobacco, a mobile phone and other items, which were seized for forensic testing.
Both men were taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with three offences, including attempting to deliver contraband to an inmate, flying a drone in prohibited airspace and supplying cannabis.
They were refused bail and are due to appear before Bail Division Court 3 on Saturday.
Strong of recent attempts The alleged attempt comes after prison staff at Goulburn Supermax intercepted a drone-delivered consignment of mobile phones, SIM cards and Allen keys on September 5. The items had been dropped onto the prison roof.
In a separate case in Queensland, a 47-year-old man was charged in August over an alleged attempt to smuggle a million-dollar’s worth of drugs and other contraband into the Townsville Correctional Complex on May 17.
The package allegedly contained methamphetamine, GBL, prescription medication, syringes, a glass pipe, a mobile phone and a SIM card.
The man faces multiple charges, including supplying dangerous drugs into a correctional facility, drug trafficking and drone-related offences.