A man will face court today charged with allegedly attempting to deliver contraband inside a correctional facility in the Hunter.
Yesterday (Sunday 22 August 2021), officers from Hunter Valley Police District received information regarding a plan to drop contraband into a correctional centre in Cessnock via a drone.
Police notified the facility and patrols were conducted on the prison complex.
Following inquiries, police stopped a Holden Commodore on Maitland Road, Cessnock, about 11.45pm, and spoke to the female driver and male passenger.
A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted, where police seized a drone, and a plastic bag containing a mobile phone and charger, tobacco, lighter and buprenorphine.
A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with two counts of unlawfully deliver or attempt to deliver anything to inmate, and one count each of take part supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, bring etc prohibited drug/plant into place of detention and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
Police will allege in court the man was coordinating the operation with someone inside the facility.
He was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Monday 23 August 2021).
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer, said officers will continue to work alongside officers from Corrective Services NSW to identify and take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband.
"Our joint operations with Corrective Services NSW will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to facilitate the supply of prohibited drugs or other contraband into facilities in the Hunter Valley district," Det Insp Zimmer said.
Inquiries continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
