Two Women Arrested for Attempting to Mail Drugs into Detention Facility
Photo: Arlene Villa
It is common knowledge that incoming mail at correctional facilities is searched for contraband but people continue to attempt to beat the system. Two women found themselves behind bars for their attempts.
smuggled drugs
The investigation kicked off on Thursday January 24th, by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Detentions Strategic Response Unit when inmates currently house at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility received mail containing drugs.
During an inspection, a hand written letter was recognized as altered. A crystal-like substance, later confirmed as methamphetamine, had been concealed between two layers of lined paper.
The suspected sender, 55-year old Arlene Villa, was arrested at Bob Wiley on February 2nd. Upon searching Villa’s car, a digital scale containing a white, crystal residue and a glass-smoking device packed with 0.5 grams of meth was found.
Villa was booked into the Adult Pre-Trial facility for knowingly bringing a controlled substance into a jail, possession of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
smuggled drugs
Villa had company at the Pre-Trail Facility. That same day, suspect Caitlin Wilson, 25, was arrested at Bob Wiley for attempting to mail a Wax-laced envelope to a current inmate of the facility.
Wax is a usually light brown, sticky substance made from marijuana’s THC. Detention K-9 Deputy “Faith” assisted in determining the envelope contained contraband and further testing confirmed the substance on the envelope was Wax.
A search of Wilson’s vehicle also procured 0.5 grams of THC Wax and a glass-smoking device. Her charges match those of Villa’s: knowingly bringing a controlled substance into a jail or prison, possession of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Officials have not stated whether the women were working together. The case is still under investigation.
