Prison meth ring busted in Indiana, 40 accused, including corrections workers, feds say

(AP) INDIANAPOLIS - A federal indictment says 40 people are facing charges in connection to a methamphetamine ring that was run from at least two Indiana state prisons with the help of corrections officers.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday says the officers smuggled cell phones and controlled substances into the prisons. It also says three inmates are among those charged, including the alleged ringleader who's serving time for murder and attempted murder.

At least 17 people appeared in court in the case Wednesday in Indianapolis. Prosecutors argued that the defendants were flight risks, and the judge ordered they be held in custody.

The FBI had earlier declined to comment but confirmed that several people had been arrested after 300 agents spread out across the state in what a spokeswoman called "investigative activity."