Federal prosecutors charged 12 people in what they describe as the largest coordinated drone-smuggling operation ever prosecuted by the US Department of Justice, alleging the group used drones to deliver drugs, cell phones, weapons and other contraband into federal prisons across eight states.
A 17-count federal indictment unsealed Wednesday alleges the conspiracy operated from September 2023 through May 2026 and relied on at least six drones to carry out 38 contraband drops at federal prisons in Georgia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
The operation was based out of a former daycare in Macon, Georgia, known among the defendants as “The Lab,” where drones and contraband were stored before flights, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
According to the indictment, drones allegedly delivered methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana (K-2), Suboxone, cocaine, cell phones, tobacco, cigarettes, drug-soaked paper, and saw blades that prosecutors say were intended to be used as weapons or to aid escape attempts.
Investigators allege inmates inside federal prisons used contraband cell phones to coordinate the drops with drone pilots outside the facilities, sometimes providing maps and real-time guidance to help direct deliveries.
Operation allegedly spanned eight states
The indictment alleges the group targeted the following federal facilities:
- FCI Atlanta in Georgia
- FCI Jesup in Georgia
- FCI Beckley in West Virginia
- FMC Lexington in Kentucky
- FCI Manchester in Kentucky
- FCI Memphis in Tennessee
- FCC Petersburg in Virginia
- FCI Pollock in Louisiana
- FCI Talladega in Alabama
- FCI Yazoo City in Mississippi
According to prosecutors, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ drone detection system helped investigators track drone activity by identifying aircraft models, launch locations, flight paths and other telemetry near prison facilities.
Authorities allege the operation involved multiple participants with different responsibilities, including flying drones, packaging contraband, transporting equipment, acting as lookouts, communicating with inmates and storing drugs and equipment.
Several defendants are accused of facing maximum penalties of life in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.
The defendants are currently in federal custody and are expected to make their initial appearances in U.S. Magistrate Court in the Middle District of Georgia.
Officials call drones a growing prison security threat
“The allegations outlined in this indictment describe a coordinated criminal effort involving heavy payload drones to introduce dangerous contraband into federal prisons across multiple states,” Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall said.
“Activity of this nature threatens the safety of everyone who lives and works inside our facilities and will not be tolerated.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said drone deliveries have become increasingly common at correctional facilities.
“To put this issue into perspective, some state and federal prison-drones smuggling contraband have been so frequent that the facilities look like a small airport in the evening,” Graham said.
The investigation was led by the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the US Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, with assistance from several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
