Two Georgia suspects are behind bars after trying to use a drone to drop contraband, including drugs and cellphones, at a medium-security prison last week.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said on May 3 that the incident occurred at the Washington State Prison in Davisboro. Authorities noticed “suspicious vehicle activity” and intercepted the alleged fall attempt. social media posts.
Law enforcement officers later discovered several baggies containing approximately 2.95 pounds of marijuana, as well as tobacco products, cellphones, clothing and electronics chargers, according to authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office said they also found razor blades hidden in a nearby field, and evidence at the scene allegedly linked the suspects to the throwing site.
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Photos shared by the department show authorities seized a large amount of contraband, including several bags of marijuana, rolling papers, wireless headphones and two dozen lighters.
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After an investigation, authorities determined that those inside the vehicle were allegedly Mariana Torres, 17, and Anyela Contreas Torres, 19, the department said.
Both suspects were later taken into custody without incident and charged with use of a drone to commit an offense, possession of a drone during the commission of a crime, possession of a drone with intent to distribute marijuana, prohibited items from an inmate, dealing with an inmate (telephone), dealing with an inmate (drugs), dealing with an inmate (tobacco), possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and possession of tools during a crime, according to authorities.
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In 2019, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp passed Senate Bill 6, which “banned the use of unmanned aerial systems [drones] Transporting or attempting to transport contraband to a place of confinement. “
However, despite this legislation, jails and local jails reportedly continue to deal with an increase in contraband smuggling involving drones.
“Over the past four years or so, we have been dealing with drone sightings and incidents of contraband being brought into the facility,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. Tell WGXA.
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Advances in drone technology, including the ability to carry large payloads and fly long distances, are leading to an increase in contraband drops at jails and prisons across the United States
(iStock)
In October, Cochran told the media that his department had arrested 17 people for attempting to use drones since the beginning of 2025, and that 75 of the 170 inmates at the Washington County Jail face charges related to the alleged prison transports.
“Right now, 44 percent of the people in county jails are involved in escapes from Washington state prisons — 44 percent. To me, that seems like a lot and it’s a burden on taxpayers,” Cochran reportedly said.
Cochrane reportedly cited advances in technology — including the ability to use drones to carry large payloads — as the main reason for the increase in airdrops.
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“They’re getting a lot more functionality and the technology is much better than when they started,” Cochran told WGXA. “I think it’s easier for them to use drones than to go back to the old ways of bringing contraband into these facilities.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections for comment.
Original source of the article: Two Georgia teens face charges after allegedly using drones to drop drugs, cellphones and blades at prison