A delivery straight out of a backyard cookout was grounded before it ever touched down at a South Carolina prison.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Corrections confirmed to WLBT that a drone carrying contraband was intercepted near Lee Correctional Institution in Lee County.
The unmanned aircraft was attempting to drop off an unusual mix of items, including marijuana, crab legs, Old Bay seasoning, and cigarettes.
Corrections officials shared images of the seized items, which immediately drew attention online. Crab legs paired with Old Bay seasoning are classic staples of a proper Louisiana seafood boil—a spread that might work for a summer block party, but not for a high-security correctional facility.
According to SCDC, the drone never reached its intended destination after staff intercepted the delivery. Officials did not disclose who was responsible for flying the drone or whether any arrests have been made.
While the food aspect raised eyebrows, the marijuana aspect is where the situation becomes far more serious. Marijuana remains illegal in South Carolina, with no legalized medical or recreational use.
Under state law, the sale or distribution of any amount of marijuana is classified as a felony, with potential penalties that can range significantly depending on the quantity involved and other factors. Introducing it into a prison environment carries even steeper consequences.
South Carolina correctional facilities also have strict rules about what inmates can receive. Outside food—including homemade meals or mailed-in snacks—is prohibited due to ongoing concerns about weapons, drugs, and other contraband entering facilities.
Instead, family members and friends who want to support inmates can only deposit money into commissary accounts. Inmates can then purchase approved food items, snacks, drinks, and hygiene products directly from the prison’s authorized vendors.
That system leaves little leeway for unauthorized deliveries, especially those dropped from the sky.
Drone drops have become an increasing challenge for correctional facilities across the country, as small aircraft can bypass fences and guard towers. As a result, many prisons have invested in detection systems and other countermeasures to intercept drones before contraband reaches inmates.