Deadly Drug-Laced Paper Smuggled Into Chicago Jail, Sparking Overdose Crisis

Synthetic cannabinoids soaked into paper strips have killed multiple inmates at Cook County Correctional Facility.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, singed paper strip against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the deadly drug-soaked contraband that has been smuggled into the Chicago jail, causing a crisis of inmate overdoses.Tiny strips of drug-soaked paper have become a deadly new smuggling method, exposing the ongoing battle prisons face against the evolving tactics of drug traffickers.Chicago Today

A string of inmate deaths at the Cook County Correctional Facility in Chicago has been linked to a dangerous new drug smuggling method involving paper soaked in potent synthetic cannabinoids. The drug-laced paper, known as 'Pinaca,' has been hidden in legal documents, books, and even mail, leading to multiple fatal overdoses that have baffled prison officials.

Why it matters

This crisis highlights the ongoing battle prisons face against the smuggling of deadly drugs, as well as the evolving tactics used by drug traffickers to circumvent security measures. The ability of the drug-soaked paper to evade detection raises concerns about the potential for this method to spread to other institutions and even reach schools, sparking fears of a wider public health emergency.

The details

The deaths began in 2023, with 57-year-old inmate Thomas Diskin found dead in his cell that January. Tiny strips of singed paper were the only unusual detail, and tests later confirmed the paper was soaked in Pinaca, a synthetic cannabinoid. By the end of 2023, six inmates had fatally overdosed in similar circumstances. Prison officials quickly tried to warn prisoners and ramped up efforts to inspect mail and search cells, but the drug-soaked paper was incredibly hard to detect, even for drug-trained K-9s.

  • In January 2023, 57-year-old inmate Thomas Diskin was found dead in his cell.
  • By the end of 2023, six inmates had fatally overdosed after smoking the drug-soaked paper.
  • In 2024, surveillance footage caught a female visitor tossing a sullied paper slip to an inmate.
  • In 2026, the prison has already seen two deaths linked to the drug-laced paper.

The players

Thomas Diskin

A 57-year-old inmate at the Cook County Correctional Facility who was found dead in his cell in January 2023, with tiny strips of singed paper around him.

Brad Curry

The chief of staff at the Cook County Sheriff's Office, who immediately knew something was off when Diskin was found dead.

Cook County Correctional Facility

The notorious prison in Chicago that has been battling a crisis of inmate deaths linked to drug-soaked paper smuggled into the facility.

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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

What’s next

Cook County law enforcement has conducted 130 felony arrests since 2023, targeting both smugglers and inmates. They are also using a sophisticated paper-testing machine to check if paper contains anything other than ink. However, the synthetic cannabinoids used are constantly evolving and growing stronger, posing an ongoing challenge.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the urgent need for prisons to stay vigilant and adapt their security measures to combat the ever-evolving tactics used by drug traffickers to smuggle deadly substances into correctional facilities. The potential for this drug-laced paper to spread beyond prison walls and reach schools or the general public is a terrifying prospect that requires a comprehensive response from law enforcement and public health officials.