VIDALIA — Five people were arrested and a Concordia Parish inmate was charged after their attempt to smuggle drugs, CDs and a cell phone into River Correctional Facility was foiled.

The initial incident occurred Jan. 1, at which time Correctional Officer Sgt. Anthony Nettles reportedly spotted a vehicle near the prison’s dumpster, according to a statement from the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Before the vehicle sped away, an occupant of the car reportedly tossed a fast food bag that contained a cell phone and charger, several bags of marijuana and two CDs.

After Assistant Warden Pat Smith gathered a vehicle description, a log of recent inmate phone calls and security camera information, Smith turned the information over to the Concordia Parish Narcotics Task Force, according to statements.

During the investigation, task force director Lt. Greg Jackson discovered that inmate Lee Scott — who was to be considered for parole next month — had allegedly worked with the other suspects to smuggle the illicit goods into the prison, according to the CPSO.

Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell thanked Smith and Nettles, as well as the Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office, for their help in the investigation.

“This is an extremely serious offense and we are going to seek the maximum penalty under law,” Maxwell said. “This sort of thing endangers not only my employees, but the entire correctional system.

“People need to realize if they bring forbidden items to an inmate, they will be arrested. And we will definitely pursue prosecution.”

Though the delivery in January was not successful, Lee Scott was charged with two counts of introduction of contraband into a penal institute for a Dec. 20 incident in which correctional facility personnel confiscated CDs from him, the statement said.

Those arrested include:

4Tettra R. Davis, 20, 120 Mississippi St., Newellton, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Her bond was set at $25,000.

4Jennifer N. McWilliams, 28, 207 Pecan Drive, Newellton, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Her bond was set at $50,000.

4Ula Scott Lopez, 21, 100 First West St., Newellton, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Her bond was set at $50,000.

4Cedric Cordel McWilliams, 207 Pecan Drive, Newellton, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. His bond was set at $50,000.

4Richard Damon Scott, 21, 100 First West St., Newellton, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institute. His bond was set at $25,000.

4Inmate Lee Andrew Scott, 29, on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Ula Scott Lopez and Richard Scott are Lee Scott’s cousins, and Tettra Davis is reportedly his girlfriend.

The matter is still under investigation, and Sgt. Billy Joe Ratcliff is assisting Jackson on the case.

Some of the suspects may face additional charges, and the CPSO said other arrests may be made.