Drugs and cell phones smuggled into Poggioreale prison via drone: delivery fails, prison arrests four pilots

Naples – The drone was carrying approximately 200 grams of narcotics, 11 microcell phones, and 10 SIM cards. It was neutralized and followed by prison police officers who arrested the four last night.

The drugs and cell phones were intended for inmates at the Naples-Poggioreale prison. After a failed attempt to land on the prison grounds, prison officers followed the plane back to its takeoff point, the roof of a building. They were able to locate and arrest four people, three pilots and a young man who was acting as lookout.

The Penitentiary Police at the "Giuseppe Salvia" prison in Naples thus thwarted the delivery of 200 grams of drugs, 11 smartphones, and 10 SIM cards to inmates. In addition to seizing the cargo, the prison also recovered the sophisticated aircraft, which managed to withstand the countermeasures implemented by the prison administration.

It has not been ruled out at this time that the four were in contact with organized crime. The area from which the drone took off is near the prison.

USPP President Giuseppe Moretti and Regional Secretary Ciro Auricchio expressed their appreciation for the officers' "high level of professionalism, operational readiness, and investigative acumen": "Thanks to their resourcefulness, not only did they prevent a significant amount of illicit material from reaching inmates, but they also neutralized the operations of four pilots." The USPP once again urges "structural investments, prevention, and an effective plan to combat the introduction of illicit materials into prisons."