Ferriday — A Texas woman was arrested in Ferriday Sunday after allegedly attempting to smuggle 20.1 grams of synthetic marijuana into a prison.

Garyel Jacquan Johnson, 26, 5675 Yale St., Houston, Texas, was arrested on a charge of introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Concordia Parish Sheriff Office deputies were dispatched to the Rivers Correctional Center in Ferriday after receiving a call informing prison personnel that contraband had been passed to an inmate being held there.

Corrections officers provided deputies with video surveillance and confiscated contraband and, after viewing the video, deputies arrested Johnson.

Johnson allegedly successfully passed the marijuana to the inmate, Earnest James Duet, but officers reportedly found the drugs when searching Duet.

The sheriff’s office report says Johnson denied passing the contraband.

Corrections officers at the facility performed a field chemical test and determined the contraband to be 20.1 grams of synthetic marijuana.

Johnson was released from the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office on $40,000 bond.

CPSO Chief Deputy David Hedrick said visitors often attempt to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities.

“As the war on drugs continues, we are constantly on the lookout for people bringing drugs into our facilities,” Hedrick said. “I’d like to say we get everything, but we get a high percentage of what comes in.”

Though visitors cannot be as thoroughly searched as inmates, Hedrick said the constant video surveillance and searching of prisoners after visitation helps officers to catch any incoming contraband.

“People will hollow out a hole in their tennis shoes and store drugs there,” Hedrick said. “We’re pretty aware of that trick.”

Contraband can also be hidden in the lining of clothes, in body cavities or in jackets.

“Our guys are well-trained,” Hedrick said. “We have to assume everybody is carrying something.”