A Florida man was charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl after allegedly using a drone to smuggle the drug into federal prisons.
According to Border Report, James Key III could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Court documents show that between December 2024 and August this year, Key worked with inmates to introduce both fentanyl and cellphones in prisons in California, Florida and South Carolina.
Concretely, he put the substance in paper bundles then wrapped in synthetic grass, which would then loaded into drones and smuggled into the facilities.
Authorities have seized fentanyl in different circumstances, most of them while people attempted to smuggle it into the country. In late July, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested a man as he attempted to smuggle over 130 grams of fentanyl inside a body cavity.
CBP detailed that the incident took place at the Bridge of the Americas, in Texas, after midnight. Then, the 56-year-old man presented himself for infection at the bridge's pedestrian area, and a drug-sniffing dog alerted of the presence of narcotics after inspecting the man.
The man was later taken to a medical facility where it was confirmed that he was concealing drugs in a body cavity. About an hour and a half later, the man passed two bundles wrapped in condoms, the agency added. He was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations to face charges associated to the episode.
CBP often details uncommon seizures. In late June, agents seized over a dozen pounds of fentanyl hidden inside a crock-pot filled with meat.
The incident took place in a port of entry in Nogales, Arizona, when agents became suspicious after seeing a person attempting to enter the country with the object.
The man in question, Jose Armando Longoria, was then asked to put the appliance down to be inspected, according to Border Report. He said there was nothing unusual, but agents noticed it was particularly heavy and brought out a drug-sniffing dog, which indicated there were narcotics inside.
After opening the appliance, agents found 11 bags of blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl. Overall, there were more than 7 kilos of the substance. Longoria said it was the first time he was attempting to smuggle drugs after being asked to do so several times. He added that he was offered $100 for the attempt.
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