The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is now working with Amazon to prevent contraband from entering the county jail.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. spoke exclusively to News 12 about how some books being ordered through third-party providers on Amazon were being used to get drugs into the hands of inmates.

The sheriff first told News 12 on April 24 about his concerns surrounding Amazon and third-party providers, saying "Amazon third-party providers are a big problem for us because if a person registers as a third-party provider, they can be someone that's working with someone on the outside, to distribute drugs inside of our correctional facilities." said Toulon.

The sheriff shared his concerns during an exclusive tour News 12 was given on April 24 of the Corrections Intelligence Center, to mark one year since the center was created in an effort to keep contraband out of the jail and to share intelligence with other law enforcement agencies.

Toulon says while they've been successful in preventing crime, a new twist on an old crime shocked even the sheriff.

"The products were ordered through someone in the community, but delivered through Amazon in an Amazon package, so that's how it's really worked." said Toulon.

According to the sheriff, a bulletin came in last June to the Corrections Intelligence Center, alerting law enforcement that the books inmates are legally allowed to receive, were not just being read.

Toulon said, "So once the package got into the jail, if it was successful, had K2, K3, cocaine, fentanyl. The individuals in custody would be able to sell the fentanyl-laced products, because it's soaked onto the sheets of paper, on the books, which would be torn from the book, cut into smaller pieces, sold inside the jail."

The sheriff tells News 12 the money is usually then sent through a money transfer app or to people outside of the jail.

Toulon says a "red flag" it could be happening is the price of a book.

"If there's a difference in the price of a book, if a $10 book is now being sold for $100 or $150, it's something that's a red alert for us." said Toulon.

And since the illegal scheme was uncovered, the sheriff says the correctional facility is now working with Amazon to try and keep the illegal contraband out.

Toulon said, "Amazon is also working to help identify, because we are working with a large contingent of law enforcement organizations throughout the country that may have this similar issue."

In a statement to News 12, an Amazon spokesperson said, "We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies. We have proactive measures in place to prevent prohibited products from being listed and we continuously monitor our store. When we identify an issue, we work closely with law enforcement, retailers, and brands to stop bad actors and hold them accountable, including withholding funds, terminating accounts, and making law enforcement referrals. We proactively contacted Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department to gather more information, and remain committed to working with law enforcement to assist in investigations and hold bad actors accountable."