By Noah Osborne -
NBC News
About 150 people were arrested in an alleged “multi-state” criminal enterprise that used drones to bring drugs, weapons, cell phones and other items into Georgia prisons, the state's governor announced last week.
The arrests, which include eight Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) employees, come as part of an ongoing investigation by the GDC and the FBI to crack down on smuggling, the Gov. Brian Kemp in a statement last week.
Some of the contraband confiscated.Georgia Dept. of Corrections
“
Georgia will not tolerate those who endanger our communities
by trafficking drugs, weapons and contraband in and out of our correctional facilities,” Kemp stated.
“I want to thank Commissioner Oliver, the men and women of the GDC, and all of the law enforcement agencies who worked to carry out these operations and help keep both Georgians and our correctional facilities safe,” he continued. the governor.
Weapons seized in operation.Georgia Dept. of Corrections
The investigation, called Operation Skyhawk, was launched months ago and uncovered the use of drones to help introduce contraband into Georgia state prisons. It was this finding that led to the filing of more than 1,000 charges, ranging from the introduction of contraband to drug trafficking to the possession of firearms by criminals.
[Criminal ingenuity: a stranger's friend disguised himself as a garbage bag to steal a package]
A suitcase with drugs seized by authorities.Georgia Dept. of Corrections
“The success of Operation Skyhawk should be a reminder to anyone, inside or outside our prisons, that we have zero tolerance and will take swift action against those who threaten the safe operation of our facilities and the safety of the public,” said Tyrone Oliver. , GDC commissioner, in Kemp's statement. “I am immensely proud of our officers for their commitment to
bringing these individuals to justice
.”
[Thieves steal $30 million from Los Angeles money storage warehouse]
Drugs seized in operation.Georgia Dept. of Corrections
Of the 150 arrested, many will face charges related to the RICO
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
– and
could be the largest ring in a RICO case in the history of Georgia
.
[“Every day I think about my daughter”: at least 130 Latino children in the US are missing]
The items seized during the operation currently have a combined value of more than $7 million, and include:
87 drones.
22 weapons.
273 contraband mobile phones found in prisons.
180 civilian mobile phones.
185 pounds of tobacco.
67 pounds of marijuana.
12 pounds of methamphetamine.
51 pounds of ecstasy.