Shakedown Uncovers Contraband At Fulton County Jail

ATLANTA GA -- More than 200 officers from various agencies descended onto the Fulton County Jail Tuesday morning to carry out what the sheriff's office dubs the "largest shakedown" in the history of the facility. Operation Clean Sweep recovered 21 shanks and other prohibited items.

The unannounced search involved so many officers that teams were able to hit housing zones simultaneously, optimizing the element of surprise. A heavy concentration of teams searched the seventh floor, the super max area where some of the most dangerous inmates are housed.

Items recovered during the operation include:

• 21 Shanks (homemade weapons)
• 16 tablets (which are rented for controlled use within the facility)
• 1 cell phone
• 1 cell phone charger with adapter
• 1 A/C adapter
• 1 cigarette lighter
• 11 tablet batteries

The officers tossed each cell with subsequent teams scanning the areas more than once. K-9 teams were deployed to detect contraband such as cellular telephones and prescription drugs being hoarded by inmates. Officers uncovered do-it-yourself tattoo kits and other prohibited items to include excessive quantities of junk food that can be used as currency within the Jail and present a sanitation hazard.

Officers used metal detectors to scan mattresses for concealed items. The teams searched under bunks, ceilings, light fixtures, and other areas known to be places where inmates hide contraband (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

"The surprise shakedown sent a message to inmates that contraband will not be tolerated," the sheriff's office said. "Sheriff Ted Jackson and Chief Jailer Mark Adger are grateful to all of the officers who participated in Operation Clean Sweep. The mission is to maintain order and discipline at the Fulton County Jail to keep inmates, staff and visitors safe."

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office’s Direct Action Response Team (DART) carried out the operation with the help of units from the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Corrections CERT Team and the VIPER Team from the Atlanta Department of Corrections.

Photo 1: a shank, or homemade weapon, uncovered during Operation Clean Sweep.

Photo 2: two officers search the bedding of an inmate.

Credits: Fulton County Sheriff's Office