arizona news
Has been updated: April 4, 2023 at 10:20 am
(Photo courtesy of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it seized 100 blue pills believed to be fentanyl from an inmate during processing.
The contraband was found during a strip search on Sunday, the agency said in a press release.
According to the MCSO, this is the latest incident of detainees confiscating drugs and drug-related paraphernalia from inmates at detention centers, transfer facilities, release facilities, and prisons.
In recent weeks, 440 pills believed to be fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia have been stolen from newly booked inmates.
According to the MCSO, contraband is often found during observation and strip searches. In another instance, a detainee observed one of her inmates trying to hide something in her pocket after using the restroom.
Further testing revealed green fronds that appeared to be marijuana and a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine, the MCSO said.
All inmates will be charged pending lab analysis of the drug.