Three suspects charged in alleged New Bedford jail contraband delivery

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Three men have been charged after surveillance video allegedly captured one suspect throwing drugs over the wall of the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford.

According to the Bristol County Sheriff’s office, their Special Investigations Unit (SIU) initiated the investigation after receiving information about a future inmate-involved contraband delivery conspiracy.

Ash Street Jail inmate Jesus Santana, 22, allegedly conspired with his brother Isaias Santana, 18, and Tyler Roberts, 32, all of Fall River, to deliver unknown contraband over the jail wall.

According to the sheriff’s office, SIU set up surveillance at the jail on September 21, and observed Isaias Santana approach the perimeter wall and throw a small white object over the barrier.

Santana then ran toward and entered a vehicle parked on the street that was allegedly driven by Roberts, according to the sheriff’s statement.

Sheriff deputies stopped the vehicle and identified its two occupants, and both men were informed that they would be summonsed to court at a later date.

At the time the object was allegedly thrown over the wall, 20-25 inmates were in the courtyard area.

The jail was put on emergency lockdown and all inmates in the courtyard at the time were searched.

The inspection of the inmates yielded negative results, according to the sheriff’s office.

On September 22, Ash Street Jail officers and maintenance staff extensively searched the roof area and found a small white package stuck in the rain gutter.

Paper inside the package tested positive for synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, according to the sheriff’s statement.

Isaias Santana is charged with delivering drugs to prisoners in a correctional institution and conspiracy.

Jesus Santana and Tyler Roberts also face charges in the case.

The three suspects will be arraigned at a later date.