TVA Nouvelles has learned that a major seizure took place at Quebec’s detention center last Tuesday.
“Everything was done after officers noticed that there had apparently been a drone delivery to the detention center,” said Syndicat des agents de la paix en services correctnels du Québec, President Matthew Lavoie.
Correctional officers’ vigilance allowed it to proceed with what may be the largest seizure ever conducted at the facility.
According to the still immature information, several hundred grams of narcotics (first hashish, marijuana and an unidentified white powder), a dozen cell phones as well as chargers, a digital scale, saw blades and home-made weapons were confiscated.
“It is clear that we must have the tools to prevent precisely this type of delivery. Being aware of these shipments and being able to act quickly to prevent the substances from getting inside,” Mr Lavoie said.
According to him, inmates would go as far as manipulating their windows or window and door frames to facilitate these deliveries by drones, which pose a real security concern for detention facilities and correctional officers.
“Detainees can either attempt to escape or endanger the safety of officers with the items they provide. But even when we see illegal substances inside the walls, it leads to human trafficking, debt and conflicts between inmates. […] and due interventions by vicarious agents.”
According to the Ministry of Public Security, there is an increase in drone sightings near detention centers in the province.
In 2021, 67 packages were seized, out of 77 delivered by drones in the Est-du-Québec correctional network. In the first nine months of 2022, 36 packages were confiscated from 44 shipments of drones.
The ministry says steps are being taken to install systems aimed at curbing these deliveries by drone at three priority detention facilities in the coming months. For security reasons, he will not disclose the names of the facilities involved or the systems used.
-With information from Sébastien Dubois, TVA Nouvelles
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