Former TDCJ Inmate Arrested in Legal Mail Drug Trafficking Scheme
By Staff Writer
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General has arrested former Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmate Deidrick Capers, accusing him of operating a counterfeit legal mail drug pipeline that reached prisons across the country.
OIG investigators say Capers mailed envelopes disguised as legitimate legal correspondence, but the paper inside had been soaked in synthetic cannabinoids, Suboxone, and other narcotics. According to the agency, the mail was sent not only to individuals incarcerated in Texas prisons but also to correctional facilities in other states and federal institutions nationwide.
Inspector General Lance Coleman said the arrest represents only the beginning of a broader investigation. “Evidence gathered thus far indicates the presence of a broader drug‑trafficking ring targeting correctional facilities across the country, and our investigators will continue to pursue every lead,” Coleman said. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to identifying and apprehending all individuals involved in this criminal enterprise.”
Capers was taken into custody on June 2, 2026, at his home in Texas City. During the search, investigators recovered:
- Paper soaked in K2
- Approximately 30 grams of Suboxone
- About 50 grams of liquid K2
- Drug‑lab paraphernalia
- Legal mail stamps and counterfeit labels
- $4,225 in cash
As a result, Capers was charged with Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 2, a second‑degree felony.
The arrest stems from an investigation led by OIG in coordination with the TDCJ Intelligence Center, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Galveston County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force. Officials say additional charges from other jurisdictions are possible as the case expands.
TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin emphasized the threat synthetic drugs pose inside prisons. “Synthetic narcotics threaten the safety of our staff, jeopardize the well‑being of those incarcerated, and undermine the secure operation of our prisons,” Lumpkin said. “This case serves as a clear reminder of the ongoing challenges associated with contraband entering through the mail system.”
Capers’ criminal record includes convictions for stalking, theft, possession of cocaine, and forgery of a commercial instrument.
Arrest are based on accusations and all suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
