El Paso, CO — A routine pat-down search at El Paso County Jail turned into a drug smuggling bust when 34-year-old Shandra Rathke allegedly tried to bring methamphetamine into the facility. Rathke had been booked into the jail on Monday after a bond revocation stemming from a controlled substance possession charge.
During the booking process, Rathke was given the opportunity to surrender any contraband, but she did not comply. While being escorted through the process by Deputy Barrow, Rathke exhibited suspicious behavior, attempting to conceal her right arm and place an unknown object in her mouth.
The deputy quickly intervened before Rathke could ingest the item, which turned out to be a plastic bag containing 2.64 grams of methamphetamine. Rathke was immediately charged with introduction of contraband and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
This incident comes just days after another smuggling attempt at the jail. On December 22, Thomas Rosado, 37, was arrested after being found sleeping in a laundry room. During a strip search at the jail, Rosado was discovered to have a baggie containing methamphetamine.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal issued a stern warning following the incidents: “If you bring dangerous contraband into my jail, you will be held accountable. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting this facility and all those within it.”
