Greensville County, VA – A significant drug smuggling operation was uncovered at the Greensville Correctional Center on March 1, resulting in the seizure of more than $300,000 worth of contraband and the arrest of three individuals, including a correctional officer.
According to the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), the operation came to light following an investigation by the VADOC Office of Law Enforcement Services (OLES) into allegations of drug smuggling by Xavier Campbell, a correctional officer at the time. The investigation began after Campbell reportedly shared with others that he had been compensated for smuggling drugs into the facility.
Upon interviewing Campbell, OLES agents confirmed that the officer had smuggled various contraband items into the correctional facility on multiple occasions in exchange for payment. Campbell reportedly consented to a search, which led to the discovery of several packages containing a range of illegal substances, including buprenorphine, naloxone, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, tobacco, and more.
The investigation then expanded to include Campbell’s associates. Special agents worked with the Greensville County and Southampton County Sheriff’s Offices to track down Campbell’s source. A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle of one of Campbell’s associates, where law enforcement uncovered a similar package of contraband, along with a stolen firearm.
Willie Gamble, who had recently been released from VADOC custody, and Erica Randolph, his passenger, were arrested at the scene. Both individuals face several charges related to the possession and distribution of controlled substances. Gamble, who was also found in possession of a firearm, faces additional charges for being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.
The drugs seized in the operation, which have an estimated prison value exceeding $300,000, underscore the dangerous scope of smuggling operations targeting correctional facilities. VADOC Director Chad Dotson praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
“Drugs and contraband have absolutely no place in our facilities,” Dotson said in a statement. “Our agency is working around the clock to stop smugglers from spreading their dangerous poison into our secure facilities. I want to thank our OLES Special Agents, as well as the Greensville and Southampton County Sheriff’s Offices for their excellent work on this case.”
The following individuals face charges in connection with the smuggling operation:
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Xavier Campbell: Attempt to deliver drugs to a prisoner, possession of Schedule I & II controlled substances with intent to distribute.
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Willie Gamble: Possession of a Schedule I & II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule I & II controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while in possession of certain substances, carrying concealed weapons.
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Erica Randolph: Possession of a Schedule I & II controlled substance, possession of a Schedule I & II controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenge faced by law enforcement in curbing the flow of drugs and contraband into correctional institutions.
