Eight female inmates in Putnam County Jail, Tennessee, hospitalized for emergency treatment after allegedly ingesting smuggled drugs.

Inmates in Putnam County Jail were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment after allegedly snorting drugs smuggled. (Photos: Herald Citizen)

Inmates were quickly transported to the hospital for urgent medical care following allegations of using smuggled drugs

In Putnam County Jail, Tennessee, eight female inmates were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment after allegedly snorting drugs smuggled into the jail by two other inmates. The Putnam County Jail Sheriff’s Office reported that the inmates were transported from the jail to Cookeville Regional Medical Center due to a near-fatal overdose. The police confiscated a combination of fentanyl and heroin.

As published article in Fox News, investigators revealed that Nicole Danielle Ealey and Jasmine Richelle Lancaster, who were booked into the jail on July 12, 2023, for illegal drug activity, managed to smuggle the drugs into the facility by hiding them in their body cavities. Ealey and Lancaster, inmates in Putnam County Jail reportedly distributed the illicit drugs to fellow inmates within their pod, leading to the overdoses and life-threatening situations.

Sheriff Eddie Farris from Putnam County Jail, confirmed the drug smuggling through body cavities in a statement, stating that witness accounts and evidence supported the claim. Although the inmates had undergone strip searches during the booking process, the hidden drugs were not initially discovered. Major Tim Nash, the Jail Administrator, explained that certain items concealed within body cavities may not be visible during routine inspections.

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Authorities identified the other inmates

As per article published in WSMV 4, Krystal Gail Auxier, Racheal Lee Blackard, Sarah Elisabeth Miller, Jamie Sue Bullard, Chantel Renee Keagle, Sarah Nichole King, Angie Lanette Taylor, and Brittany Lynn Bryant were the other Putnam County Jail inmates involved in the incident. While three inmates were released from the hospital after receiving treatment, the remaining five were admitted for overnight care, according to the deputies.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by correctional facilities in preventing illicit substances from entering their premises. The incident in Putnam County Jail also highlights the risks associated with drug use and the need for vigilant security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.

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