Andre Taylor, 59, of Clinton Township, and accomplice Edward King, 57, of Detroit, were arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle $443,000 in drugs into a correctional facility.
According to officials, in December 2024, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) East received a tip from MDOC about a potential smuggling attempt involving an MDOC officer following an internal investigation.
In collaboration with MDOC, detectives from Michigan State Police (MSP) UPSET and troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace Posts launched an investigation, which resulted in coordinated traffic stops of the suspects’ vehicles.
The investigation revealed that Taylor worked with King to smuggle illegal contraband into Kinross Correctional Facility.
Taylor worked as a correctional officer for MDOC and was temporarily assigned to Kinross Correctional Facility. MSP troopers completed the traffic stops, executed search warrants, and subsequent investigation resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of illegal contraband, including
- 15 full sheets of suspected K2 paper
- 50 A12 suboxone strips
- 514 N8 suboxone strips
- 74 grams of marijuana wax
- 62 grams of methamphetamine
The estimated value of seized items in the illicit prison system is $443,000.
Taylor also had $4,592 in cash seized, which was suspected of being payment for the illegal operation. Taylor and King were arrested and booked into the Chippewa County Jail.
Taylor and King have been arraigned in the 91st District Court.
Taylor’s bond was set at $25,000, while King’s was set at $150,000.
Both have posted bond and are scheduled to appear in court again on February 25.
