Sheriffs: Inmate faces more charges after smuggling drugs

An inmate at Suffolk County jail faces additional charges after sheriffs said he admitted to smuggling drugs into the facility.

Christopher Reale, 32, of East Hampton, already sentenced to one year in jail for felony operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, now faces charges of two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and first-degree promoting prison contraband, Suffolk County sheriffs said Friday in a news release.

Correction officers confiscated methadone pills and suboxone strips from Reale, who was subsequently interviewed, "resulting in an admission, search and recovery of the illegal drugs," sheriffs said.

"Reale had smuggled them into the facility inside a body cavity," sheriffs said, "using a balloon and fishing line to later retrieve the contraband."

Reale appeared in court for his sentencing on Tuesday, records show. His return date was not immediately known.