Monday, July 10, 2017
Woman tries to smuggle drugs into jail inside hair ties and clothing
Lawrenceburg Now
Diligent corrections officers checking some items that had been dropped off for an inmate last week discovered that the items were being used in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the facility.
Reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department show that a local woman was arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on Sunday at the Lawrence County Detention Center.
Reports show that the incident was triggered when thirty-eight year old Laura Michelle Huskey of 528 Kramer Avenue, Lawrenceburg dropped off the items for a female inmate.
Corrections officers realized that the inmate had already been incarcerated longer than the period of time during which property may be brought in. When they informed the inmate of this, they report that she did not appear to be upset, but that her pod mates became irate, “demanding that they be brought back to (the inmate).”
Corrections officers brought the inmate to an area where she could be questioned and she told them that, “She did not want to get involved because if she told, they would retaliate against her.” Through their investigation they learned that the hair ties warranted further inspection.
They found that the seams had been opened and a cellophane wrapper containing a pink and white powdery substance had been concealed inside. They believed that the substance was crushed up pills. The powder, with a combined weight of less than .5 grams, was collected and dispatched to the TBI crime lab for identification.
Deputies were able to make contact with Huskey before she pulled out of the parking lot and informed her that she was being arrested. They found that she had driven to the facility, but that her driver’s license was suspended in April due to unresolved citations.
Once inside the detention center, deputies searched Huskey’s possessions and found that she had an empty prescription bottle in her purse for morphine sulfate pills. These pills, deputies report, are purple or pink in color, consistent with the powder found inside the hair ties.
Corrections officers had also noted that the designs on the T-shirts Huskey had dropped off had a suspicious appearance. They noted that it is common for people to lace fabric with suboxone strips because it is very difficult to detect. Reports indicate that during the incident Huskey had told deputies that, “The only prescription she had was for suboxone strips.” The clothing was dispatched for analysis, as well.
As a result of the incident Huskey was incarcerated on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution, possession of Schedule II narcotics, and driving on a suspended license.
