Pot found in inmates' possession - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Pot found in inmates' possession

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:25:47 GMT
    Dougherty County Commissioners unanimously denied a $15,000 for the National Youth Sports Program during Monday's Commission meeting. Robert Skinner, the NYSP director, outlined the program's services,
    Dougherty County Commissioners unanimously denied a $15,000 for the National Youth Sports Program during Monday's Commission meeting.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:15:09 GMT
    The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Lakeland. Saturday night around 9:00, 42-year-old Tim Blanton was shot at 196 North Highway 135. GBI agents are
    Saturday night around 9:00, 42-year-old Tim Blanton was shot at 196 North Highway 135. GBI agents are investigating two officers who were involved, a Lanier Co. Sheriff's deputy and a GSP trooper.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:25 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:25:03 GMT
    Two men, one black and one white, burst into the Petro Store at the intersection of Highway 200 and Highway 45 Sunday night, and attacked the clerk, stealing money. The victim told authorities that the
    Two men, one black and one white, burst into the Petro Store at the intersection of Highway 200 and Highway 45 Sunday night, and attacked the clerk, stealing money.
    •   

August 20, 2007

Thomasville  --  A tip and a prison shake down lead Thomas County Prison authorities to three inmates in possession of marijuana.

Now narcotics agents want to know how they got it, and if anyone else is involved.

Inmates were working on Railroad Avenue in Boston, when narcotics agents and prison officials showed up, with drug sniffing canines.

"We had a tip that led us to that detail, and we went there and Thomasville K-9 recovered some marijuana in the truck," said Acting Warden Robert Geer.

Under one of the seats, dogs found around 4.5 grams of marijuana, rolling papers and four cell phones.

Two inmates, Avery Henderson and Joseph Manning were in the truck at the time and are charged with taking drugs across a guard line. "We're still looking into possibly where they got it from and other co-defendants," said Narcotics/Vice Division Commander Kevin Lee. 

Back at the prison, the acting warden did a full shake down of the facility, something they do annually. "We go through every crack and cranny of the institution. Every bed every locker," Geer said.

Investigators say marijuana was found inside inmate Kenneth Smith's locker. "It was a small amount of marijuana, but anytime they bring it beyond the guard line or possess it where they're at, it's a felony," said Lee.

Narcotics agents and the warden say finding drugs in any prison is not unusual. Inmates have a lot of time to think of ways to get contraband past the guard lines so what they found here was a small amount.  "What we found inside, being just that, is a good indication that we're doing our job," Geer said.

The inmates are strip-searched every day, and the warden says they act on every tip they get about illegal activity in the prison.

State prisoners, Smith and Manning will be transferred to state facility that is more secure. Henderson, a county inmate will complete his prison term in Thomas County and then be transferred to the county jail where he'll face the felony charge.

Feedback: news@walb.com?subject=PrisonPot-SB