GOUVERNEUR – Gouverneur Correctional Facility staff discovered orange filmstrips hidden behind postage stamps on envelopes that were mailed to inmates at the medium security facility.

Between April 6 and 13, officers recovered the orange strips that later tested positive for Suboxone, from eight envelopes mailed to inmates, according to the New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA).

The strips were discovered hidden behind the stamps. In addition, two inmates were addressed separately on multiple envelopes from different addresses, a press release said.

“This discovery of Suboxone strips hidden behind stamps shows you the lengths that inmates will go to get drugs into prisons. Their supply has been severely cut off with the suspension of inmate visits so they are resorting to all types of methods to get drugs in through the mail. This is just another reason why DOCCS needs to immediately implement the Secure Vendor Program. It might not stop all contraband from coming inside facilities, but it will severely limit the ability to do so, ” said Bryan Hluska, NYSCOPBA Central Region vice president.

The drugs were reportedly mailed from various locations in Upstate New York.

Staff also discovered amphetamines in two packages received in the mailroom on Friday, April 24, NYSCOPBA said.

There were reportedly five sheets of paper that had discoloration on them in one package and two sheets with discoloration on them in the second. The sheets of paper tested positive for amphetamines.

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