Two Men Arrested for Using Air Cannon to Launch Drugs into Federal Prison
Authorities in Grant Parish, Louisiana have arrested two men who allegedly attempted to smuggle methamphetamine and tobacco into a federal prison using a compressed air cannon.
Jose Francisco Herrera Munoz, 18, and Angel Gonzales Gutierrez, 19, were caught trying to launch $89,500 worth of meth and $112,000 worth of tobacco over the prison walls. The device they used was reportedly capable of firing objects up to 350 feet, allowing contraband to land inside the prison yard for inmates to retrieve.
Law enforcement officials say that this sophisticated smuggling attempt was likely well-planned, and the pair had prepared the contraband for maximum impact once inside the prison. Investigators are now looking into whether the two suspects were working alone or as part of a larger operation to deliver illicit substances to inmates.
Both men have been charged with Attempting to Introduce Contraband into a Penal Institution and Attempting to Distribute Methamphetamine. Additionally, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Munoz, which may lead to further legal action or deportation proceedings. The case remains under investigation as authorities seek to determine how widespread this smuggling method may be.
