Eddie & Rocky on 700WLW · 700WLW (WLW-AM)

Eddie & Rocky -- 4/7/26

April 7, 2026·1 hr 24 min·5 clips

A drone operator flew drug packets right to prison cells, creating a DoorDash-like black market inside.

This episode of Eddie & Rocky on 700WLW features an interview with investigative reporter Laura Bischoff about her series on drug trafficking inside Ohio's state prisons. Hosts Eddie and Jason (sitting in for Rocky) speak with Bischoff, a respected journalist within the USA Today Network, about her collaborative reporting with Doug Livingston. The discussion centers on the scale and methods of the drug trade within correctional facilities, presenting findings from a deep data analysis. Bischoff and Livingston documented over 56,000 drug seizures in Ohio prisons since 2020. Their reporting found incarcerated people received nearly 20,800 disciplinary tickets for drug possession or use in 2024 alone. A significant portion of seized drugs is adulterated paper, known as K2 or tune, which is soaked in synthetic compounds. This paper is highly valuable inside, with a single sheet selling for between $4,000 and $10,000 within the prison economy. The reporters identified multiple smuggling methods, including drone drops, items thrown over fences, and contraband brought in by visitors, vendors, or employees. Bischoff cites the case of a drone operator, Cory Suffin, who delivered drugs directly to specific cells and earned roughly $100,000 over half a year. The paper is often cut into tiny "confetti-sized" hits and smoked using wicks made from toilet paper ignited in electrical outlets. A notable insight is the uneven drug distribution on the paper, creating "hot spots" that lead to fatal overdoses for some but not others. The series suggests official overdose death counts are underreported due to the difficulty crime labs face in identifying the specific chemicals on the paper. Bischoff argues the state's investigative resources are stretched thin, with often just one highway patrol trooper assigned to investigate crimes at a given prison. She notes that during the pandemic, when visits were restricted, the drug problem persisted, indicating other smuggling channels remained active. The tone is conversational and interview-driven, with the hosts expressing shock at the statistics and asking clarifying questions. The style is informational and investigative, aiming to shed light on a systemic problem within the state's criminal justice system. Listeners interested in criminal justice, state politics, or investigative journalism would find this episode compelling. Those seeking purely light-hearted entertainment or sports talk might prefer to skip this segment.

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