Investigators uncover drone deliveries of drugs to state prisons

ATLANTA — Nearly two dozen current or former inmates in the state prison system as well as outside conspirators have been charged with using drones to deliver illegal drugs and cellphones inside prison walls.

Two federal indictments unsealed Wednesday accuse the 23 defendants of taking part in two networks of inmates and outside conspirators that delivered large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana as well as cellphones and other contraband to Smith State Prison in Glennville, Telfair State Prison in McRae and various other state prisons. The conspiracies began as early as 2019 and continued through last month.

The indictments follow investigations spearheaded by Operation Night Drop, an effort mounted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigation and Intelligence divisions, working with multiple local law-enforcement agencies.

"These indictments indicate networks of individuals determined to introduce into prisons controlled substances and other contraband that compromise the safety and security of individuals who are held in those facilities and those employed there," said Jill Steinberg, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

"We're grateful to the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose cooperative work unraveled these criminal operations."

The primary charge in each indictment, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine, carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison, along with substantial fines and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.

Some of the defendants also were charged with unlawful use of a communication facility for using cellphones to coordinate the delivery and sale of the drugs. Text messages and Facebook posts included aerial images of prisons, drug quantities and prices, and photos of drones, drugs, and material and equipment used for packaging contraband.

The indictments include notices that the government is seeking the forfeiture of 10 drones and 21 firearms seized during the investigation.