A drone modified to drop deep-sea fishing lures, repurposed for smuggling, is part of a display at a prison in Kingston, Ont. The exhibit includes tightly wrapped packages smelling of marijuana, knives, and small phones. This showcase represents only a fraction of the confiscated items from a pilot project combatting drone smuggling at prisons in Kingston.
Law enforcement and corrections staff face a continuous challenge as inmates and criminal organizations find new methods to smuggle illicit goods into prisons. Over the past nine months, a joint task force comprising local police and correctional staff has been actively working to disrupt the illegal flow of goods and apprehend those involved. This initiative marks the first team in Canada dedicated to combatting drone smuggling in this manner.
Sgt. Jonas Bonham, head of the Kingston Police Intelligence Unit, highlights the significant impact of the program, noting a 50% reduction in local drone drops. The collaboration with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and the Canada Border Services Agency has been instrumental in these achievements.
Drone smuggling at Canadian prisons surged around 2016, with 899 incidents reported in 2023-2024 and 1,064 incidents in the past year. Kingston, with its four penitentiaries, emerged as a focal point in this battle, particularly at the Collins Bay Institution.
The proximity of Collins Bay to a bustling grocery store parking lot has facilitated smuggling activities. The convenience of piloting drones discreetly from parked vehicles, easy access to escape routes, and a direct path to the prison have made this location an attractive launch site for smugglers.
Smugglers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using drones to deliver contraband disguised as sports equipment or concealed in fake grass. The deliveries are often coordinated through cell phones from within the prison, with specific goods and prices prearranged.
The prevalence of weapons, including undetectable ceramic blades and traditional steel blades, poses a serious threat within the prison environment. The inflated prices of contraband inside prisons, coupled with the potential earnings for smugglers, have led to heightened competition over airspace near correctional facilities.
Lee Chapelle, a former inmate turned consultant, emphasizes the alarming implications of drone smuggling, describing it as a potential disaster waiting to happen. The influx of drugs, weapons, and phones inside prisons escalates the risk of violence and indebtedness among inmates.
As law enforcement agencies enhance their capabilities in identifying and apprehending drone smugglers, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among different jurisdictions are crucial in addressing this evolving challenge. The success of the Kingston task force sets a precedent for other regions to adopt similar strategies in combating drone-related crimes effectively.
