An attempted drug smuggling incident at the El Paso County Jail was thwarted by a deputy's vigilance, according to a recent report from the Sheriff's Office. Last Monday, Shandra Rathke, aged 34, faced a pat-down search during booking procedures following a bond revocation for an Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance charge. During this process, Deputy Barrow, supervising Rathke's entry, noticed suspicious behavior, as Rathke seemingly tried to obscure her right arm and subsequently put an unknown object into her mouth.
Acting decisively to prevent any potential harm, the deputy engaged swiftly, taking control of the situation where Rathke tried to hide something in her right hand. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the intercepted item was a plastic bag containing 2.64 grams of methamphetamine. The Contraband Reduction Drug Amnesty Program, initiated by Sheriff Roybal, which Rathke had been offered to partake in before this event, is intended to provide inmates the chance to surrender illegal items without consequence before incarceration.
Following the incident, Rathke faced additional charges, including Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. This event underlines the ongoing challenges law enforcement encounters with contraband in correctional facilities and the continuous efforts to overcome them.
"As we enter the New Year, I want to make it absolutely clear: if you bring dangerous contraband into my jail, you will be held accountable," Sheriff Joseph Roybal stated, as obtained by El Paso County Sheriff's Office, applauding Deputy Barrow's "keen eye and quick action." The deputy's actions not only stopped Rathke’s attempt but also reinforced the sheriff's stance on maintaining the integrity and safety of the facility. The nature of this incident serves as a reminder of the ever-present risk of drugs finding their paths into places where they can be most damaging. The photograph of Rathke's booking photo accompanied the sheriff's statement.
