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In a major crackdown named Operation Skyhawk, authorities in Georgia have dismantled what’s believed to be the biggest smuggling operation throughout the state’s correctional system. The operation has led to the arrest of 150 people, together with eight jail workers, beneath accusations of smuggling medicine, weapons, and different contraband into prisons utilizing drones.
The operation spotlighted a Gwinnett County drone restore store, Thunder Drones, owned by Robert Schwartz. Schwartz, together with an worker, Nelda Alber, have been arrested as a part of the investigation. The Georgia Division of Corrections (GDC) brokers executed raids on each the store and Schwartz’s residence, seizing over 50 drones suspected of getting used within the smuggling operations.
Governor Brian Kemp expressed his stance on the matter, emphasizing Georgia’s zero-tolerance coverage in the direction of actions that endanger neighborhood security and compromise the integrity of correctional services. Over 1,000 prison costs have been filed, highlighting the in depth nature of the smuggling ring which spanned throughout a number of states and concerned a posh community of inmates, their associates, and GDC workers.
The 16-month-long investigation revealed a classy operation the place drones have been primarily used to smuggle tobacco, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids, and capsules, some containing fentanyl, into the prisons. This operation additionally led to the confiscation of dozens of weapons and over 400 cellphones.
Operation Skyhawk is notable not just for its scale but in addition for the breadth of its impression, with GDC Particular Agent Gregg Phillips noting the restoration of a whole lot of kilos of contraband. The operation’s success sheds gentle on the evolving challenges correctional services face from technological developments and underscores the significance of ongoing vigilance and innovation in legislation enforcement methods. At the moment, the usage of cUAS expertise just isn’t permitted besides by federal companies in particular circumstances: a state of affairs which makes it simpler for criminals to enter safe areas with drones.
This case has drawn consideration to the crucial position of inner and exterior cooperation in combating contraband smuggling throughout the jail system. With costs starting from drug trafficking and possession of firearms by convicted felons to violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and taking part in prison gang exercise, the authorized proceedings following these arrests might be intently watched.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the business drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E-mail Miriam.
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