Two men have been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis, tobacco and other contraband into a correctional facility in Cooma, New South Wales, using a drone.
Police were alerted at about 1.10pm on Friday to a drone flying in restricted airspace above the prison. Officers from the Monaro Police District traced the suspected operation to a nearby park on Barrack Street, where they questioned men aged 31 and 38.
A search of the men and a vehicle allegedly uncovered equipment used to operate the drone, as well as mobile phones and SIM cards.
Police later recovered the drone from a nearby creek, where it had allegedly been abandoned with a package attached. The package contained cannabis, tobacco, a mobile phone and other items, which were seized for forensic testing.
Both men were taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with three offences, including attempting to deliver contraband to an inmate, flying a drone in prohibited airspace and supplying cannabis.
They were refused bail and are due to appear before Bail Division Court 3 on Saturday.
