Hunter Valley police received intelligence about the plan to drop contraband into Cessnock Correctional Centre on Sunday and later stopped a Holden Commodore on Maitland Rd about 11.45pm.

Officers questioned a female driver and male passenger before searching the vehicle and seizing a drone and a plastic bag containing a mobile phone and charger, tobacco, lighter and buprenorphine.

A 25-year-old man was arrested, taken to Cessnock police station and charged.

Police will allege in court that he was co-ordinating the operation with someone inside the facility.

He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Monday.

Hunter Valley Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said officers would continue to crack down on anyone trying to smuggle contraband inside correctional facilities.

“Our joint operations with Corrective Services NSW will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to facilitate the supply of prohibited drugs or other contraband into facilities in the Hunter Valley district,” he said.