Italian prisons seize record contraband of phones, drugs and drones

In the Pescara prison, two concealed cell phones were confiscated from a female visitor during routine checks. The SAPPE union praised the operation as evidence of the penitentiary police’s professionalism, while also highlighting chronic staff shortages and the need for better infrastructure and technology to combat contraband.

At Naples’ Poggioreale prison, authorities seized a record haul in June: 76 mobile phones, 2.5 kg of hashish and six drones used to smuggle items over the walls. Union leaders warned that criminal groups are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods and called for urgent reinforcement of personnel and anti‑drone systems to protect prison security.