WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies in Washington County stopped a drone operation early that was being used to smuggle contraband near Washington State Prison.
Around 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 1, a deputy on patrol heard a drone overhead and tracked it as it landed on a roadway outside the prison, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said. The deputy quickly disabled the drone, which was carrying a bag filled with contraband.
Deputies began searching the surrounding Davisboro area for the suspected pilot. During patrols, a deputy spotted a speeding vehicle on Highway 88. When the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver fled, prompting a pursuit.
As the pursuit continued, the occupants began throwing bags from the car windows, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies used a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit and arrested one suspect at the scene. Two others ran into nearby woods but were later apprehended with help from Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 units.
Investigators recovered the discarded bags, which contained additional contraband.
Authorities charged the three suspects with multiple felonies, including crossing guard lines with drugs, possession of tools during the commission of a crime, use of an unmanned aircraft system, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.
Each suspect also faces various misdemeanor charges, including obstruction, aggressive driving and providing false information to law enforcement.
