By Carol Robinson
al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A Birmingham man has been charged with multiple crimes after authorities say he was caught trying to smuggle contraband – including knives and drugs – into an Alabama state prison.
Terrence Cortez Whatley, 31, was taken into custody this week when Alabama Department of Corrections investigators say he was found outside Ventress Correctional Facility in Barbour County.
Investigators and tracking dogs were notified about a possible trespasser about 5 a.m. Sunday.
They tracked down the suspect who authorities said was a former ADOC inmate.
The team found a pink duffel bag and a clear garbage back that contained 20 packages wrapped in black, green and brown tape.
The packages, authorities said, contained eight knives, 33 cell phones, 534 grams methamphetamines, 140 grams of fentanyl, 952 grams of marijuana, 106 grams of Flakka, 26 grams of sprayed paper, 18 grams of pills, assorted chargers, tobacco, shoes, and clothes.
In the video below, Gordon Graham discusses how to combat contraband in correctional facilities.
Whatley is charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking Flakka, first-degree promoting prison contraband, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.
Whatley is being held in the Barbour County Jail .
Court records show he pleaded guilty in 2015 in Jefferson County to robbery. He was sentenced to 15 years with two years to serve.
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