GOUVERNEUR, NY – Officers conducting random searches at the medium security prison recovered Synthetic Marijuana, commonly known as K2, and Suboxone during two separate incidents.
On Sunday, January 12, at approximately 9:15 p.m., an officer was conducting a random search of one of the bathrooms in a housing unit. The officer witnessed an inmate smoking in one of the bathroom stalls and ordered the inmate out. During the search, the officer discovered two bundles wrapped in cellophane. Inside the bundles were 69 orange strips that tested positive for Suboxone.
The inmate, 40 years old, was placed in a Special Housing Unit. He is serving a one year sentence after being convicted in Schenectady County for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree.
On Tuesday, January 14, at approximately 7:35 a.m., an officer developed information that two inmates were carrying contraband drugs on them. Both inmates were removed from their cells so a search could be conducted. Both inmates were pat frisked and officers located Synthetic Marijuana hidden inside their pants. One inmate voluntarily removed the drugs from his pants and turned it over to officers. The second inmate, during the pat frisk, took the drugs, which were wrapped in cellophane, and put them in his mouth. Several officers were needed to subdue the inmate and get him under control as he refused orders to spit out the drugs. After a brief struggle, the inmate complied with orders and spit out the drugs to the floor.
The drugs were taken into evidence. All three inmates face disciplinary charges.
“Our members work diligently to keep contraband out of our prisons. Despite their success, drugs still make their way into the facilities. The majority comes from either mailed packages or from inmate visits. Until a Secure Vendor Program is instituted and the administration adds additional K9’s to detect visitors attempting to bring drugs to inmates, the contraband problem will continue to exist. ” – stated Bryan Hluska, NYSCOPBA Central Region Vice President.
NYSCOPBA news release Jan. 16, 2020
