HOUTZDALE, Pa. - State police are investigating after Department of Corrections officials said a visitor and an inmate were caught smuggling drugs into SCI Houtzdale.

According to DOC officials, security staff at SCI Houtzdale saw an inmate place an item in his mouth he had received from a female visitor.

As correction officers went to retrieve the inmate he attempted to flee, according to officials.

Officials said the inmate was tackled to the ground, but they were unable to recover the item as the inmate swallowed the suspected drugs.

The inmate is being held until the passing of the item and the female visitor was taken into custody by state police, according to the DOC.

State police will be reviewing surveillance of the incident.

DOC officials said a second incident happened Thursday when a SCI Houtzdale employee was suspended after unauthorized items were found in his or her vehicle.

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