A 25-year-old Quebec man is facing several charges after police say a drone was used to deliver contraband to Warkworth Institution.
Northumberland OPP say officers were called around 7:50 p.m. on March 6th, after receiving a report of a suspicious person near the federal prison.
Staff with Correctional Service Canada believed contraband had been delivered to the institution using a remotely piloted aircraft system, commonly known as a drone, and that the aircraft was returning to its operator on a nearby road.
Police patrolled the area and conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck in the vicinity. Investigators say the driver attempted to drive away while officers were taking him into custody.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a drone. Correctional Service Canada staff also recovered a package containing cannabis at the institution.
As a result of the investigation, Abdou-Allah Chaouki, has been charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, mischief for interfering with property, dangerous operation of a vehicle, resisting a peace officer, flight from a peace officer, delivering contraband to an inmate, failing to surrender a driver’s licence, and failing to surrender an insurance card.
Chaouki was held in custody for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg.