Toxic Paper Smuggled Into Chicago Jail Linked to Inmate Deaths

Synthetic drug-laced paper proves lethal, raising fears it could spread to schools

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:09am

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A string of inmate deaths at the Cook County Correctional Facility in Chicago have been linked to a terrifying new drug trend - paper laced with a deadly synthetic cannabinoid and smuggled behind bars. Jail officials have made over 130 felony arrests related to the drug-soaked paper, but warn the ramifications could be catastrophic if it spreads to the streets and schools.

Why it matters

This crisis at the notorious Cook County Jail highlights the constant battle correctional facilities face to keep dangerous contraband out, and the innovative tactics smugglers will use to get drugs inside. The potency of the synthetic cannabinoids involved has proven lethal, raising fears about the potential impact if this drug-laced paper makes its way into the broader community.

The details

Jail officials first became aware of the issue when an inmate was found dead in his cell, with tiny strips of singed paper littered around. Testing confirmed the paper was soaked in a synthetic cannabinoid called Pinaca, which proved fatal when smoked. Before authorities could stop it, other inmates began dying under similar circumstances. Smugglers have grown increasingly sophisticated, soaking legal documents, book pages, and even mail in the drugs to evade detection.

  • In January 2023, 57-year-old inmate Thomas Diskin was found dead in his cell.
  • Less than two weeks later, a 23-year-old inmate died.
  • By the end of 2023, six prisoners had fatally overdosed after smoking the laced paper.
  • In 2024, prison deaths from the drug-soaked paper fell to just one.
  • In 2025 and 2026, one and two deaths respectively are being investigated as potential paper drug deaths.

The players

Cook County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency overseeing the Cook County Correctional Facility, which has made over 130 felony arrests related to the drug-laced paper smuggling.

Brad Curry

The Chief of Staff for the Cook County Sheriff's Office, who has been leading the fight against the deadly paper drug trend.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't know what was on [the paper in Diskin's cell], but we knew it was a drug. And it was a race against time... we had a new drug that is very, very toxic and very, very deadly, that Narcan apparently didn't work on.”

— Brad Curry, Chief of Staff, Cook County Sheriff's Office

“If you're a dirty officer, [inmates working as dealers] will give them a certain amount of that every time they bring in a sheet of paper... so they're doing it for the money. It's so lucrative.”

— Brad Curry, Chief of Staff, Cook County Sheriff's Office

“If this does go to the street, the ramifications are huge. This would be the biggest war on drugs you've ever seen in your life... you'd have a lot of new drug dealers that are millionaires, because nobody would catch onto it probably for a long time. And how do you keep it out of schools, because it's on pieces of paper? It's terrifying. It would be worse than the fentanyl in the street.”

— Brad Curry, Chief of Staff, Cook County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

The Cook County Sheriff's Office is awaiting official results from the Medical Examiner's Office on whether recent inmate deaths were caused by the drug-laced paper. They are also working to educate law enforcement across the country on this new threat.

The takeaway

This crisis at the Cook County Jail highlights the constant battle correctional facilities face to keep dangerous contraband out, and the innovative tactics smugglers will use to get drugs inside. The potency of the synthetic cannabinoids involved has proven lethal, raising fears about the potential impact if this drug-laced paper makes its way into the broader community.