Synthetic Marijuana Smuggling Foiled at New Bedford Jail

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Three Fall River men, including an inmate at the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford, were recently charged in a plot to sneak drugs into the facility.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux said charges were filed on October 24 in New Bedford District Court after an investigation into contraband entering the Ash Street Jail.

Investigation Leads to Charges

Heroux said the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit launched the investigation after receiving information that an inmate – Jesus Santana, 22, of Fall River – was allegedly conspiring with his brother Isaias Santana, 18, and Tyler Roberts, 32, to have a package of unknown contraband thrown over the wall at the Ash Street Jail.

The Attempted Drug Delivery

On Sunday, September 21, investigators saw Isaias Santana approach the jail on foot and allegedly throw a small white object over the outside perimeter before running and getting into a vehicle with Roberts behind the wheel. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and identified the two men. They were released and told they would be summonsed to court at a later date.

READ MORE: New Bedford Man Charged With Smuggling Drugs into Dartmouth Jail

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Lockdown and Package Recovery

Heroux said at the time of the incident, there were about 20 to 25 inmates inside the courtyard area during their recreation period. That led to the jail being put into emergency lockdown and all of the inmates that were in the yard at the time had to be searched. However, Heroux said the package did not turn up in those searches.

The following morning, officers and maintenance staff searched the roof area and retrieved the package, which had become stuck in the rain gutter. Heroux said it contained paper that tested positive for synthetic marijuana, also known as K2.

Video of the Incident

Charges Filed

Isaias Santana was charged with delivering drugs or articles to prisoners in a correctional institution, as well as conspiracy. Jesus Santana and Roberts were also both charged with conspiracy. The three are scheduled to be arraigned at a later date, Heroux said.

Previous Incident at Ash Street Jail

Back in March of this year, the girlfriend of an inmate at Ash Street was charged with allegedly trying to throw drugs over the wall of the jail.

READ MORE: Woman Tossing Drugs Over Wall at Ash Street Jail