Officers, not technology, stop huge drug drop into Stony prison

Officials at Manitoba's Stony Mountain Institution successfully intercepted a massive $1.8 million drug shipment and other banned items on Sunday, in what authorities describe as one of the largest reported seizures in recent years. The contraband, including THC concentrate, was found in packages delivered via drone, a notable incident given that the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) had recently invested in drone detection technology.

However, the drone detector failed to raise an alarm when the package landed. Saskatchewan Correctional Officers' Union President Jake Suelzle attributed the successful interception to the "vigilance" of prison staff, emphasizing the importance of human presence in preventing contraband entry. This incident is part of a series of significant seizures at or near Stony Mountain Institution, totaling nearly $4.5 million in prohibited items this year.

The prison, located about 12 kilometers north of Winnipeg, has seen at least nine substantial seizures this year, with CSC reporting contraband seizures worth $1 million in April 2025, $1.8 million in August 2022, and $2 million in December 2021. Suelzle noted that such seizures have been growing exponentially over recent years, with drones being the primary method of contraband introduction.

The CSC is also testing drone-jamming technology at two institutions. Despite advancements in drone technology, Suelzle criticized the bureaucratic and inefficient federal government procurement process, suggesting that technological advancements haven't kept pace, leading to a reliance on human presence in security measures.