Man charged after $1m in drugs allegedly flown into Townsville prison using drone

A man has been charged after a drone allegedly carrying a $1m haul of drugs and utensils was flown into an Australian jail.

The drone and its alleged haul were found inside the Townsville Correctional Centre, in northern Queensland, back in May, Queensland Police said in a statement on Monday.

It is alleged the drug ice and GBL – the latter of which turns into “liquid ecstasy” GHB once it’s ingested – along with a variety of prescription drugs, syringes, a glass pipe, mobile phone and SIM card were found in a package attached to the drone.

Investigations by detectives from Townsville and Bundaberg, and prison staff, have led to a 47-year-old man being charged.

He is expected to front court in Townsville on Tuesday, facing five charges of supplying dangerous drugs into a correctional facility, drug trafficking charges, dealing with prohibited items in a prison, medication supply charges and charges related to flying a drone at a prison.

Police will allege in court the drugs have a combined street worth of $1m.

Corrective Services Investigations Unit, Detective Acting Inspector Erica Gray, said charges were laid because of work from detectives and intelligence officers.

“Preventing drugs from entering correctional facilities is critical to the safety of staff, prisoners and the broader community,” she said.

“We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify those involved and hold them accountable.”

Townsville Correctional Complex general manager Silvi Baretta said the drone was found by “our officers’ diligent adherence to security search practices”.

“We thank the Queensland Police Service for their work on investigating and laying charges in this matter, supporting the good order and safety of Townsville Correctional Complex,” the Acting Chief Superintendent said.

In November 2022, officers patrolling the Townsville Correctional Centre found a drone which had crashed carrying methylamphetamine, tobacco, cannabis and more than 600 suboxone strips.

Suboxone strips are used to treat opioid addiction but can also be abused.

Originally published as Man charged after $1m in drugs allegedly flown into Townsville prison using drone