2 Lowcountry men accused of using drone to drop drugs, other contraband at SC prison

MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Two North Charleston men were arrested Tuesday morning after Marlboro County deputies caught them attempting to smuggle contraband into the county jail.

Authorities intercepted a large package of contraband that was dropped from a drone at the Evans Correctional Institution.

Marcus Maurice Cooper, 34, and Tauraz Marquel Ancrum, 26, were arrested and charged with providing contraband to prisoners and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. 

Cooper and Ancrum were taken into custody after deputies saw the drone, retrieved the contraband and stopped a suspicious car in the area.

The sheriff’s office said the package was filled with marijuana; cellphones and chargers; tobacco; rolling papers; cigars; lighters; digital scales; headphones; an iPad; a GPS monitor; batteries; and other items.

The prison in Bennettsville is operated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.