CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – Two men from the Detroit area, one of which is a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) officer, face charges after police say they attempted to smuggle drugs into the Kinross Correctional Facility.
In December, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) received a tip from the MDOC about a potential smuggling attempt involving an MDOC officer. Michigan State Police UPSET, along with the MDOC and MSP troopers from the Sault Ste Marie and St. Ignace posts, initiated an investigation that led to coordinated traffic stops of the suspects’ vehicles.
The investigation revealed 59-year-old Andrew Taylor, of Clinton Township, and 57-year-old Edward King, of Detroit, attempting to smuggle illegal contraband into Kinross Correctional Facility. Taylor was employed as a corrections officer with MDOC and was on temporary work assignment to Kinross.
Troopers executed search warrants which results in a significant amount of drugs, including 15 full sheets of suspected K2 paper, 50 A 12 suboxone strips, 514 N8 suboxone strips, 74 grams of marijuana wax, and 62 grams of methamphetamine. The estimated value of the items within the illicit prison system is approximately $443,000. Additionally, $4,592 in cash was seized from Taylor, which was suspected to be the payment for the operation.
Taylor and King were both lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. They have both been arraigned in 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 Feb. 27.
