Smuggling of synthetic opioids the suspected cause of prison overdoses

Drones have also been increasingly used to smuggle contraband into prisons. Portlaoise Prison recently installed a wire netting above the prison’s outdoor space to prevent contraband from being delivered by drone. Picture: Collins Photos

Lethal synthetic opioids such as nitazenes may be being smuggled into prisons by prisoners returning from supervised day release and compassionate leave.

Dangerous drugs linked to 11 overdoses in Portlaoise Prison this week may have been brought in by a prisoner who had been visiting family members outside the prison, sources say.