On Wednesday, Brenton Lee Doyle appeared in court facing charges of attempting to use a drone to smuggle marijuana, tobacco and a cell phone into the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina and for possession of flunitrazepam (commonly known as roofies).
The wreckage of a drone carrying the illicit materials was found outside the walls of the correctional institution in April and an investigation has been underway ever since. Authorities are looking for a second suspect in addition to Mr. Doyle.
South Carolina Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stephanie Givens said this is the first time a drone has been used to try and breach prison walls in the state of South Carolina.
However, this is far from an isolated incident; unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to smuggle contraband all over the world. Similar incidents have been reported in Russia, Canada, Australia and even the state of Georgia.
“The technology is getting better, and we have to figure out different ways to fight back,” Givens said.
Mr. Doyle’s attorney, Wayne Floyd, maintains that his client has never seen a drone and that police made no mention of a drone at the time of his arrest.
His case will continue in September.
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