Georgia teens arrested for alleged drone contraband drop at prison

Two suspects in Georgia are behind bars for allegedly trying to use a drone to drop contraband, including drugs and cell phones, into a medium-security prison last week.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident unfolded May 3 after officials at the Washington State Prison in Davisboro noticed “suspicious vehicle activity” and foiled the alleged fall attempt. a social media post.

Deputies later discovered several bags filled with tobacco products, cellphones, clothing and electronic chargers, as well as approximately 2.95 pounds of marijuana, according to authorities.

The sheriff’s office said they also found a razor hidden in a nearby area, and evidence at the scene allegedly linked the suspects to the scene of the fall.

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Photos shared by the department show a large amount of contraband seized by authorities, including several bags of marijuana, rolling papers, wireless headphones and more than two dozen lighters.

The investigation led authorities to identify the people allegedly inside the vehicle as 17-year-old Mariana Torres and 19-year-old Anyela Contreas Torres, the department said.

Both suspects were later taken into custody without incident and charged with using a drone for violations, possession of a drone during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, items prohibited by inmates, dealing with inmates (phones), dealing with inmates (drugs), dealing with inmates (tobacco), possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and possession of tools during the commission of a crime, according to authorities.

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According to WGXA, there has been an increase in drone smuggling cases at Washington State Prison since 2024. (Google Maps)

In 2019, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp passed Senate Bill 6, which “bans the use of unmanned aircraft systems.” [drones] for delivering or attempting to deliver contraband to the confinement.”

But despite the legislation, prisons and local jails reportedly continue to grapple with an increase in contraband smuggling operations involving drones.

“For the last four years, we have been dealing with drone sightings and drone incidents when it comes to smuggling contraband into facilities,” Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran said. he told WGXA.

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Advances in drone technology, including the ability to carry large payloads and fly long distances, are contributing to contraband dropping into jails and prisons across the US (iStock)

In October, Cochran said his department had arrested 17 people for attempting to shoot down drones since the beginning of 2025, and 75 of the 170 inmates at the Washington County Jail are facing charges related to alleged jail deliveries.

Cochran was quoted as saying, “I currently have 44 percent of my population in the county jail on miscarriage cases at the Washington State Penitentiary – 44 percent. To me, that seems too much and a burden on the taxpayers.” he said.

Cochran reportedly pointed to advances in technology, including the ability to transport large payloads using drones, as the main reason for the increased amount of falls.

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“They have more functions and the technology is much better than when they first started,” Cochran told WGXA. “I think it’s easier for them to use drones than to go back to the old way of smuggling 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.