UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Smuggling
(U) Prison gangs across the nation partake in
smuggling activities. The contraband most
commonly reported – drugs, weapons, and
cell phones – all facilitate gang objectives to
increase power, control territory, and produce
revenue. Drugs translate to money; weapons
generate power; and cell phones enable
inmates to readily direct gang members in the
territories under their command.
• (U) Weapons are the second most reported
contraband, with homemade weapons
being of greatest concern. 24
• (U) Cell phones are the third most common
contraband, ranking almost equally with
weapons. 25
UNCLASSIFIED
Contraband Smuggled by Prison Gangs
Drugs
Weapons
Cell Phones
Tobacco
Other
(U) Source: NAGIA Survey Data.
UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Source: BOP.
(U) Cigarettes smuggled into a prison.
• (U) Drugs are the most common contraband
reported inside prisons, accounting for
almost half of total contraband. Marijuana
and synthetic cannabinoids c are equally
reported, followed by Suboxone, heroin, and
methamphetamine. 23
• (U) Tobacco, alcohol, food, gang-related
paraphernalia, and other items comprise the
rest of the contraband in survey reports. 26
• (U) State facilities report collusion with
prison staff is the primary method gangs use
to smuggle cell phones. 27 Smuggling occurs
through corrupt staff, visitors, and legal mail,
such as packages and letters. In some
c (U) Synthetic cannabinoids, often referred to as “K2” or “spice”, refers to a wide variety of drugs manufactured in laboratories to mimic the effects of
controlled substances. When one synthetic cannabinoid becomes scheduled, chemists alter the chemical formula to produce a new substance that is
not yet scheduled. Distributors label these drugs as “not for human consumption” in an attempt to avoid enforcement action. They are typically sprayed
onto shredded plant material and then smoked.
18
National Gang Intelligence Center
UNCLASSIFIED