Calgary man charged after drone used to smuggle drugs into Manitoba prison

RCMP say a Calgary man is facing drug trafficking charges after officers intercepted drugs allegedly delivered by drone to a federal prison in Manitoba.

In a news release, RCMP said officers were alerted early Sunday morning after a drone dropped a package onto the grounds of Stony Mountain Institution, north of Winnipeg. Correctional Service Canada said the package contained methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

RCMP said officers already in the area observed a vehicle parked near the institution around the same time. Police said the vehicle was stopped and investigators located a drone, a carrying case labelled with a drone manufacturer’s name, and an additional package inside the vehicle.

RCMP said the second package contained balloons filled with methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs. Police estimated the “institutional value” of the seized substances at about $600,000.

Correctional Service Canada has warned that drones are increasingly being used to introduce contraband into federal facilities, posing risks to inmate safety and institutional security. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

Sources: RCMP Manitoba news release: https://rcmp.ca/en/manitoba/news/2026/02/4350170
Correctional Service Canada release: https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/news/2026/02/seizure-of-contraband-and-unauthorized-items-at-stony-mountain-institution.html
With files from The Canadian Press