Somerset Sheriff's Office Probes Drugs Smuggled Into County Jail

News from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office:

Following a report of five inmates overdosing on drugs in the Somerset County Jail on July 15, Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano said he is conducting an investigation into how the contraband entered the correctional facility.

The entire jail is being examined, and the Sheriff’s Office is in the preliminary stages of its investigation, he said.

“Based upon the investigation thus far, it is believed that the drug in question is likely a synthetic variety – possibly marijuana,” he said. “Further testing and analysis of the evidence is necessary however. It is believed that all of the overdoses are connected.”

In addition to the identification of the contraband, the investigation is focused upon how it came into the facility and the identification of the individual or individuals who supplied it to the inmates. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office are assisting with the investigation.

Sheriff Provenzano said one inmate remains hospitalized, and the other four have been returned to the county jail. No one has been yet been charged, and the investigation is ongoing.

“It is standard protocol at the Somerset County Jail for corrections officers to search for contraband,” he said. “Any visitor or inmate caught bringing in contraband faces criminal charges. Somerset County has a zero-tolerance rule with drugs coming into its jail facility, and those who are apprehended will face additional penalties of being confined and/or an extension of their time in the jail.”

The sheriff uses all the resources available to maintain a drug-free jail, including random sheriff’s K-9 sweeps of inmate cells for any possible contraband.

“Our goal at the jail is to maintain a safe and secure environment to protect the inmates, staff, visitors and, ultimately, the community,” Sheriff Provenzano said.