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BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Just three weeks ahead of Christmas, a surprising discovery was made in the yard of a South Carolina prison: a package delivered by drone.
The package contained a variety of contraband, including steak, marijuana, crab legs, and an abundance of cigarettes. To top it all off, there was a tin of Old Bay seasoning to accompany the gourmet haul.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections shared the unusual find on X, using the hashtag #ContrabandChristmas to describe the drone delivery at Lee Correctional Institution.
A photograph from the Bishopville facility captured the raw steak in its grocery packaging, alongside crab legs, Old Bay seasoning, small plastic bags of marijuana, and several cartons of cigarettes. Authorities also confirmed the capture of the drone involved in the delivery, which took place on Sunday morning.
Prison officials have launched an investigation into the incident, though no arrests have been reported at this time.
“I’m guessing the inmates who were expecting the package are crabby,” prisons spokeswoman Chrysti Shain said.
Keeping contraband out of state prisons is a constant battle. People would toss or use a catapult to get packages of cellphones, drugs or other illegal items over the perimeter fence until officials raised the fences and added netting at the top.
People trying to smuggle things behind bars moved on to drones, leaving corrections officials to constantly patrol the prison yard and just outside for the tiny aircraft trying to drop packages.
Just flying a drone near a prison in South Carolina is a misdemeanor crime that carries up to 30 days in jail. Dropping contraband into the prison is a felony that can land someone behind bars for 10 years.


