Authorities raid Jackson County jail and discover contraband

Jackson County sheriff’s deputies along with federal and local law enforcement agencies raided the county’s detention center early Friday and recovered undisclosed contraband and other impermissible items.

The raid occurred about 3:45 a.m. Friday at the detention facility at 13th and Cherry streets. About 60 officers and 10 K-9 units simultaneously hit three floors in the jail, searching for contraband.

Authorities have not said what items were recovered. The decision to conduct the raid was prompted after several inmates were found to have cellphones, which are not allowed in the jail, said Sgt. John M. Payne, a spokesman with the sheriff’s office.

“We know if they are getting cellphones in, then they are getting other stuff in,” Payne said. “It was a joint effort to create a safer environment in the jail by searching targeted areas.”

County jail officials were alerted about the sweep well before the event.

“We were happy to cooperate with their efforts,” said Joseph Piccinini, the county’s director of corrections. “Our own routine checks are ongoing, and we continue to look for new ways to combat what is an ongoing challenge for any detention center.”

Sheriff’s deputies were joined by officers from Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit, along with the FBI and task force officers from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.

“It was determined to be a successful search,” Payne said. “They found some stuff.”

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 8:41 AM with the headline "Authorities raid Jackson County jail and discover contraband."