The Justice Department has announced charges in a sophisticated criminal operation that used high-powered drones to deliver contraband, including methamphetamine, cell phones, and weapons, into federal prisons in several east coast states.

Operation Details

According to US Attorney William Keyes, the operation, which was led out of a former daycare in Macon, Georgia, used at least six separate drones to deliver contraband to 10 federal prisons at least 38 times. The drones were guided by inmates using illegal phones, who would send maps and other instructions to the drone pilots.

The Bureau of Prisons used drone detection systems to track the drones and identify those involved in the scheme. On June 10, a grand jury in the Middle District of Georgia indicted 12 defendants on federal charges, including trafficking for drug and firearms distribution.

Response from Authorities

William K. Marshall III, Director of the Bureau of Prisons, stated that the allegations describe a coordinated criminal effort involving heavy payload drones to introduce dangerous contraband into federal prisons across multiple states. He emphasized that such activity threatens the safety of everyone who lives and works inside the facilities and will not be tolerated.

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham noted that drones delivering contraband remains a serious public safety issue for law enforcement, putting both prisons and communities in danger.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.