Police investigate after a drone dropped drugs at the Regina Correctional Centre

Police in Regina are investigating after a drone was used to drop drugs into the Regina Correctional Centre.

The delivery happened two weeks ago and was intercepted by staff so the package never made it to inmates.

Ministry of Corrections and Policing spokesman Drew Wilby said it may be a first for the province.

He can’t provide details about the incident due to security concerns.

“It’s a significant security breach out at Regina Correctional Centre. It’s something we’re looking into and the circumstances surrounding that,” Wilby said.

Wilby praised staff at the facility for intercepting the drop.

Wilby also wouldn’t confirm or deny that drugs were contraband, but described the amount as “a handful”.

Redline Hobby sells a variety of drones, and shop owner Wade Nyifra said drones can carry small loads.

“These can’t carry a lot of weight, but something like that, I wouldn’t think would be a very big issue probably,” Nyifra explained.

Most recreational drones on display at Redline have a range of 200 to 300 feet. Certain professional quality drones can fly multiple kilometres.

Many of the drones Redline has in stock can transmit live high-definition video to a smart phone.

Because of this, Nyifra said if police have the suspect drone, they could potentially trace it’s owner.

“There’s a WiFi link that is made between the phone and the camera, so there is a way of probably of determining, if they get the drone, the phone that’s attached to it,” he explained.

Wilby said he can’t say whether or not the ministry has the drone.

With files from David Baxter