LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Nine out of 10 people were arrested on charges of smuggling narcotics into the Lake County Detention Center, authorities said.
All but one suspect was arrested.
The Lake County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit said Friday that it concluded a three-month investigation focusing on several individuals who were “actively introducing contraband into the Lake County Detention Center.”
The investigation began in May when detention deputies began to identify and intercept an increased amount of narcotics coming into the jail, authorities said.
Investigators said nine of the 10 individuals arrested have extensive criminal histories.
Officials said the investigation consisted of monitoring inmate phone conversations, conducting surveillance within the jail, and “other unique investigative techniques that cannot be disclosed.”
Detectives said that inmates used items, including a fire extinguisher pin and a screw, to drill a hole in the Plexiglas windows in the visitation area, which allowed narcotics to be passed to inmates during their visits.
Investigators said some of the confiscated items include drugs such as marijuana, Xanax, and Suboxone, as well as cigarettes.
“The value is just ridiculous. Very profitable if you can get contraband in,” said an undercover agent.
The Suboxone was sent in letters via the U.S. Postal Service, hidden beneath the postage stamp, investigators said.
Detectives said other narcotics were left in pieces of trash where inmate work crews were working to clean up roadways. The inmate would then collect the items and bring them into the jail, said authorities.
Authorities said the 10 suspects involved used the jail inmate phone system as their primary means of communication and coordination.
“One hole, popped up at one time. It was observed. We repaired it, then it started popping up in different areas of the jail times in the jail. At the same time, we were intercepting an increased amount of narcotics. We are always catching stuff here and there. The difference about this time is that they kept happening all at once and we wanted to know why,” said the agent.
Christina Obregon, Scott Beekman, Fabian Sanchez, Lance Hanson, Jesse Hall, Clifton Crews, Steven Belisle, Jasmic Holden, David Mariotti and Jacqueline Brown face various charges, including conspiracy to introduce contraband into a county detention facility, solicitation to introduce contraband into a county detention facility, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
Crews is Tavares Middle School teacher's assistant. Authorities said he was caught smuggling drugs into the jail for a man he met online.