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KINGSTON TWP. — A Stroudsburg woman is accused of smuggling synthetic marijuana and prescription drugs into the state prison near Dallas.

Court records say Irene Vitagliano, 57, would smuggle synthetic marijuana and Suboxone into the prison visitation room and later receive electronic money transfers as payment.

Investigators caught onto the alleged scheme Dec. 5.

According to a criminal complaint:

Vitagliano had a scheduled visit with an inmate Dec. 8. She passed through security and was stopped once she was inside the fence perimeter.

Vitagliano told investigators she used notes, telephone calls and electronic messages to plan the purchase, retrieval, packaging and delivery of synthetic marijuana and Suboxone to the state prison.

On the day Vitagliano was stopped, she was in possession of synthetic marijuana and 15 strips of Suboxone she intended to secretly pass to an inmate.

Investigators searched Vitagliano’s vehicle, finding hand-written letters from inmates, money transfer receipts from MoneyGram and Western Union, and a $130 check signed by a woman whose son is an inmate at the state prison. The check was for the delivery of Suboxone to the inmate.

Vitagliano’s residence in Stroudsburg was also searched, and authorities found inmate letters and a ledger listing electronic money transfers.

Vitagliano was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Brian Tupper on two counts of smuggling contraband or a controlled substance, and one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. She was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

State Correctional Institution at Dallas, Jackson Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_sci-dallas-1.jpg.optimal.jpgState Correctional Institution at Dallas, Jackson Township.

By Ed Lewis

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