A grandmother has been accused of bringing cocaine and heroin with her when she visited the DeSoto Correctional Institution in Florida along with her infant grandchild on Sunday.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office published a release on its Facebook page, which stated that 44-year-old Melissa Webster allegedly had 100 grams of cocaine and heroin with her during visitation at the correctional institution.
“Thankfully DCI officers conduct thorough searches of visitors and the contraband was located,” the release stated.
Per the Florida Department of Corrections, all institutions require that visitors are searched.
“Our goal is to arrest anyone who deliberately introduces contraband into our institutions,” the agency stated. “Contraband creates violent incidents that could cause harm to your loved one, or even death.”
Staff may search through authorized personal items, and visitors will also be asked to pass through a metal detector. Other searches include a pat search and a barrier search.
Deputies with the sheriff’s office responded and arrested Webster. She was charged with trafficking in heroin, trafficking in cocaine, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, child abuse/neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Florida legislature, an individual may face a felony or a misdemeanor if they bring contraband into the facility, depending on what the item is.
Items that are labeled as contraband include intoxicating beverages and controlled substances, firearms or weapons and cellphones.
After Webster was placed under arrest, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office used its K9 to sniff her car.
Police reported that an additional 687.7 grams of heroin and cocaine were found in her car in addition to a baby’s car seat and essentials.
“The Department of Children and Families responded and provided care and safe placement for the infant,” officials said in the release.
Newsweek reached out to the DeSoto Correctional Institution for further comment.
Contraband has frequently been found in correctional facilities.
Officials at a North Carolina prison discovered a football filled with tobacco, marijuana and crystal meth. They managed to link the football back to an offender that was serving time in prison.
One man pleaded guilty for his role in smuggling contraband into a New Jersey prison. He, along with three other men, was accused of using drones to fly items, like drugs and cellphones, into the prison. These items were then sold to other inmates for a profit.
Three employees were accused of bringing in phones, alcohol and cigarettes to inmates in a New York City jail.
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