STORMVILLE – Staff recovered synthetic marijuana, marijuana, ecstasy, Suboxone and a mix of heroin and fentanyl hidden inside mailed packages to inmates at the maximum and medium security facilities last week.
The accounts of the incidents were provided by the New York State Corrections Officers PBA.
On Thursday, May 28, an officer processing Chicken of the Sea cans mailed to an inmate at Fishkill recovered over seven ounces of marijuana hidden inside the cans.
On Friday, May 29, an officer discovered 15 ounces of synthetic marijuana, commonly known as K2, and four grams of ecstasy hidden inside multiple cans of vegetables and fruits mailed to an inmate.
On the same day at Green Haven, at approximately 11 a.m., an officer was processing a package mailed from downstate. While processing three cans of vegetables, the officer noticed something suspicious. The cans were opened and eight balloons were recovered.
The balloons contained a green leafy substance, orange strips and powdery substance wrapped in cellophane. The substances were tested and tested positive for marijuana, Suboxone and heroin mixed with fentanyl. A total of 5.5 ounces of marijuana, 374 strips of Suboxone and 33 grams of heroin and fentanyl were recovered.
“Disciplinary sanctions for inmates who get caught with drugs, or get caught with drugs in their system, have been so severely weakened that there is no deterrent for them to stop attempting to have drugs smuggled in,” said Mike Mazzella, NYSCOPBA regional vice president said. “The presence of drugs in a correctional facility leads to overdoses and/or violence. Many correction officers have been injured subduing inmates who have been high on illicit drugs or breaking up fights between inmates involved in drug activity. Until changes are made in the sanctions or those who mail drugs are criminally prosecuted, this will continue at a rapid pace.”
