NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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CHIPPEWA COUNTY - Two subjects have been arrested and arraigned in court after attempting to smuggle drugs into a correctional facility. One of the subjects was a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) Officer.
Last month, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) East received a tip regarding a potential smuggling attempt involving an MDOC Officer. Detectives from Michigan State Police (MSP) Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team- East, along with troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace Posts, initiated an investigation that led to coordinated traffic stops of the suspects’ vehicle(s).
The investigation revealed that 59-year-old Andre Taylor from Clinton Township, Mich. had coordinated with 57-year-old Edward King from Detroit attempting to smuggle illegal contraband into Kinross Correctional Facility. Taylor was employed as a corrections officer with MDOC and was on a temporary work assignment to Kinross Correctional Facility.
MSP troopers completed the traffic stops, executed search warrants, and further subsequent investigation resulted in a significant amount of illegal contraband being seized, including:
- 15 full sheets of suspected K2 paper
- 50 A12 suboxone strips
- 514 N8 suboxone strips
- 74 grams of marijuana wax
- 62 grams of methamphetamine
The estimated value of the seized items within the illicit prison system is estimated to be approximately $443,000. In addition, $4,592 in cash was seized from Taylor, which was suspected to be payment for the illegal operation.
Taylor and King were arrested and lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. Both Taylor and King have been arraigned in the 91st District Court. Taylor’s bond was set at $25,000 and King’s bond was set at $150,000. Both have posted bond and are expected to be back in court on 2/27/25.
The defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
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