Cooma prison smuggling attempt involving drone leads to two arrests

Two men, aged 31 and 38, have been arrested following an alleged attempt to smuggle contraband into a correctional facility in Cooma using a drone.

On Friday, 25 September, Monaro Police District officers were alerted to a drone flying in prohibited airspace above the prison. Following an investigation, police located the men in a nearby park on Barrack Street. A search of a nearby vehicle and the individuals yielded a drone controller, mobile phones, and SIM cards.

Officers subsequently recovered a drone from a nearby creek with an attached package. The package reportedly contained tobacco, prohibited drugs, and a mobile phone. Both men were charged with operating a remotely piloted aircraft in prohibited airspace, unlawfully attempting to deliver items to an inmate, and supplying cannabis. Both suspects were refused bail.