GEORGETOWN - The Delaware Department of Correction on Tuesday announced two arrests in connection with an alleged attempt to deliver illegal narcotics to an inmate at Sussex Correctional Institution, authorities said.
According to Department of Correction spokesperson Jason Miller, through proactive intelligence gathering measures investigators gathered evidence of a conspiracy between an inmate and a New Castle resident to deliver illegal narcotic drugs to the inmate using US Postal mail.
Mr. Miller said that through information gathered during the investigation, last week a mail package addressed to the inmate was identified and intercepted upon arrival to the prison mail room. Analysis of the package conducted in collaboration with the Delaware Division of Forensic Science found that the paper contents tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, authorities said.
On Friday, current inmate Dustin Richie, 38, was charged with drug dealing, promoting prison contraband (two counts), criminal solicitation (two counts), and second-degree conspiracy (two counts). He was arraigned and $15,500 secured bail was set on the new charges. Richie is currently serving a one-year prison sentence for a violation of probation.
Shannonb Griffis, of New Castle, was also arrested Friday and charged with drug dealing, promoting prison contraband (two counts), and second-degree conspiracy. She was arraigned and transported to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $6,500 secured bond.
The Department of Correction investigation remains active and ongoing
“The delivery of fentanyl and other life-threatening narcotic contraband into correctional facilities through the mail is a significant and growing threat to the health of our officers, staff, the offenders we supervise, and the public,” Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe. B. Hudson Jr. said.
“Thanks to excellent work by officers at Sussex Correctional Institution and our Department’s investment in intelligence gathering capability, the investigation quickly intercepted drugs from the prison pipeline and led to the arrest of two individuals.”
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