Police charge man over attempted $1 million prison drone drug delivery

Queensland man charged over $1 million Townsville prison drone drug deliveryPosted Mon 24 Aug 2026 at 6:13pmMon 24 Aug 2026 at 6:13pmThis drone was intercepted carrying contraband into the Townsville Correctional Complex on May 17. (Supplied: Queensland Corrective Services)A 47-year-old man has been charged over allegedly using a drone to deliver more than $1 million worth of drugs into a Townsville prison.Corrective services officers brought down the drone in May when it was spotted over the Townsville Correctional Centre. Officers found a package attached to the drone containing methylamphetamine and GBL, a large quantity of prescription drugs, syringes, a glass pipe, a mobile phone and a SIM card.A 47-year-old man has been charged with five counts of supplying dangerous drugs into a correctional facility.The drone was carrying contraband estimated to be worth $1 million. (Supplied: Queensland Corrective Services)He has also been charged with trafficking dangerous drugs, dealing with a prohibited item in a corrective services facility, supplying a medication and drone-related offences.The man will face the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.Detective Acting Inspector Erica Gray of the Corrective Services Investigation Unit said the charges are a "disruption" to the supply of drugs into Queensland prisons."Preventing drugs from entering correctional facilities is critical to the safety of staff, prisoners and the broader community," she said.A similar incident was reported at the prison in 2022 when officers found a drone that had crashed while carrying illicit drugs and tobacco.A man faced charges in 2023 over the incident.