Two men charged with attempting to use a cannon to launch meth into U.S. prison

Two Colorado men who attempted to use an air-powered cannon to smuggle drugs into a federal Louisiana prison are seen in the mugshots above. (Grant Parish Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

Two Colorado men were arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle tobacco and methamphetamine into a federal prison using an air-powered cannon, according to U.S. authorities.

In a post on Facebook, the Grant Parish Sherrif’s Office of Louisiana says Jose Francisco Herrera Munoz, 18, and Angel Gonzales Gutierrez, 19, both from Greely, Colo., were caught with US$112,000 worth of tobacco and US$89,500 worth of meth.

Authorities said the suspects planned to use a cannon capable of launching items more than 350 feet to get the contraband over the prison’s security fence.

Both suspects were charged with attempting to introduce a contraband into a penal institution and attempting to distribute methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Herrera Munoz as he is in the country illegally.