Officials at Sussex I State Prison in Virginia foiled an apparent drone-assisted smuggling attempt after staff intercepted a package containing roughly $324,000 (about £256,000) worth of contraband. The find highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods used to smuggle drugs, phones and other banned items into US correctional facilities, and prompted a fresh appeal from prison authorities for public help in tracking down those responsible.

The package, discovered around 1:30am on Monday, contained a pound of suspected methamphetamine, 17 mobile phones with charging cables, and 20 sheets of paper thought to be soaked in an unknown liquid, along with hex wrenches, USB Wi-Fi adapters and SIM cards. It also held an odd mix of everyday items including lighters, cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, tattoo ink, perfume and glue. The Virginia Department of Corrections said the incident, praised as a success for vigilant staff, remains under investigation by its Office of Law Enforcement Services, which is appealing for information via a public hotline.