Virginia Department of Corrections intercepts $324,00 drone delivery of contraband at Sussex prison

Joshua Lynch, The Virginian-Pilot on Aug 24, 2026

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RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Corrections is investigating an attempted drone delivery of contraband at Sussex I State Prison that officials say had an estimated prison value of $324,000.

Corrections staff discovered a suspicious package at the prison at about 1:30 a.m. Monday following an attempted drone incursion, according to the department’s Office of Law Enforcement Services.

The package contained a one-pound bag of suspected methamphetamine, 17 cellphones with charging cables, three USB Wi-Fi adapters and two subscriber identitiy module cards. Officials also found a bag containing 20 pages of paper that appeared to be saturated in an unknown liquid, as well as multiple hex wrenches and two small bottles of glue.

The shipment also included 30 disposable lighters, two carbons of cigarettes, a pound of loose-leaf tobacco, three packs of cigars, two bottles of professional-grade tattoo ink and two bottles of perfume.

The investigation remains ongoing, VADOC said. The department is asking anyone with information about attempted smuggling into a VADOC facility to contact its Office of Law Enforcement Services.

VADOC Director Joseph W. Walters credited staff at Sussex I State Prison for their vigilance and said the department remains focused on preventing contraband from entering its facilities.

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