DAVISBORO, Ga. — Four men are facing charges after deputies in Washington County discovered a suspected drone contraband operation targeting Washington State Prison.
According to Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran, deputies stopped a “suspicious vehicle” around 8:15 p.m. on Oct. 9 in Davisboro. Inside, they found several cellophane-wrapped packages and a drone in plain view. A search of the vehicle uncovered a large quantity of marijuana, cellphones, lighters, a handgun and other items believed to be intended for inmates at the nearby prison.
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Deputies arrested two men, ages 46 and 57. Both were charged with:
- Trading with inmates
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
- Criminal trespass
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
- Items prohibited for inmates
The 57-year-old faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As deputies were leaving the scene, they conducted a second traffic stop for a separate violation. Cochran said deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Inside, they found a large plastic bag containing a green leafy substance.
The driver, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on outstanding warrants from Gwinnett County. The passenger, a 35-year-old man, was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Investigators later determined that the two in the second traffic stop were connected to the original traffic stop. Both men were also charged with trading with inmates, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and items prohibited for inmates.
All four suspects are being held at the Washington County Jail.
The arrests come as Georgia law enforcement agencies continue to combat a surge in drone-related contraband drops at state correctional facilities. The Federal Communications Commission recently approved new measures to allow states to use cellphone jamming technology to curb such incidents.
