{"id":2208771,"date":"2024-03-28T21:27:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T01:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/150-people-arrested-in-sweeping-georgia-investigation-of-drones-bringing-drugs-and-guns-into-prisons\/"},"modified":"2024-03-28T21:29:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T01:29:31","slug":"150-people-arrested-in-sweeping-georgia-investigation-of-drones-bringing-drugs-and-guns-into-prisons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/150-people-arrested-in-sweeping-georgia-investigation-of-drones-bringing-drugs-and-guns-into-prisons\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia authorities have detained 150 individuals in a widespread investigation into drones smuggling drugs and firearms into prisons"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F150-people-arrested-in-sweeping-georgia-investigation-of-drones-bringing-drugs-and-guns-into-prisons%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2208771&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Georgia officials arrested over 150 people in a significant investigation into the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. Governor Brian Kemp labeled the operation as dismantling a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cracking-down-lawmakers-unveil-bills-to-combat-organized-retail-theft\/\" title=\"\u2018Cracking Down\u2019: Lawmakers Unveil Bills To Combat Organized Retail Theft\">sophisticated criminal enterprise<\/a>. \u2064The seized items, including drugs and guns,\u200b were valued at $7 million. Over 1,000 charges have been filed as part of the \u200dongoing operation. \u2063In a notable crackdown\u2062 on the illicit use of drones to transport contraband into prisons, Georgia \u2064authorities apprehended more \u2062than 150 individuals. Governor Brian Kemp hailed the operation as the disruption of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/retail-theft-often-preplanned-by-complex-criminal-networks-new-report-asserts\/\" title=\"Retail Theft Often Preplanned By Complex Criminal Networks, New Report Asserts\">complex criminal network<\/a>. The confiscated goods, comprising \u2063drugs and firearms,\u200d amounted to \u2064a\u2063 substantial $7 million. The law enforcement action resulted in over 1,000 charges being\u2062 levied.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Georgia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Georgia officials<\/a> arrested more than 150 people on Thursday in connection to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-years-after-kenosha-riots-why-no-august-23-committee-to-investigate-the-big-lie-that-stoked-the-flames\/\" title=\"Two Years After Kenosha Riots, Why No August 23 Committee To Investigate The Big Lie That Stoked The Flames?\">large-scale investigation<\/a> into the use of <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>drones<\/a> to bring <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/prisons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>contraband into prisons.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The arrest warrants, which included those of eight Georgia Department of Corrections officials, were served at two facilities in the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/atlanta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Atlanta<\/a> area. Gov. <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brian-kemp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Brian Kemp<\/a> (R-GA) said the operation dismantled a \u201csophisticated multi-state criminal enterprise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) addresses the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Atlanta on Sine Die, the last day of the legislative session, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Arvin Temkar\/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cGeorgia will not tolerate those who put our communities at risk by trafficking drugs, weapons, and contraband both in and out of our correctional facilities,\u201d Kemp said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/gov.georgia.gov\/press-releases\/2024-03-28\/gov-kemp-georgia-department-corrections-investigation-exposes-multi-state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>statement<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Those who allegedly participated in the enterprise included prison employees, civilians, and inmates. The items that were snuck into prisons included <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drugs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>drugs<\/a> such as methamphetamine, <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cocaine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>cocaine<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marijuana\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>marijuana<\/a>, ecstasy, cellphones, and <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/guns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>guns<\/a>, according to the governor\u2019s office. The confiscated items have a total street value of at least $7 million dollars.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>More than 1,000 charges have been brought in the monthslong operation, dubbed Operation Skyhawk, and charges range from contraband introduction, drug trafficking, possession of firearms by convicted felons, violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and participating in criminal gang activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe success of \u2018Operation Skyhawk\u2019 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 operations of our facilities and the safety of the public,\u201d Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said. \u201cOur reach is far and wide, not just within the walls of our facilities, and I stand by my words from over a year ago that this activity will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Officials warned that other states could have similar operations within their facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia has one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-gives-female-inmates-condoms-plan-b-after-state-forces-them-to-stay-with-transgenders\/\" title=\"California Gives Female Inmates Condoms, Plan B After State Forces Them To Stay With Transgenders\">largest prison systems<\/a> in the country, overseeing about 47,000 prisoners, while only having a staff of 2,685 in the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2023. That year, the department also had a vacancy rate of 55% for correctional officers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/news\/crime\/drones-helped-bring-drugs-weapons-into-georgia-prisons-investigation-finds\/6DLPVU342FDAZBW5EKHKSIOCTQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>according<\/a> to the<em> Atlanta Journal-Constitution.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Friends, relatives, and gang associates of inmates are the most common sources of contraband, according to the state. But sometimes prison guards and other employees will sneak in contraband, or allow other people to do so. In fact, there were more than 425 cases against prison employees for crimes on the job between 2018 and 2023, according to the outlet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The majority of the crimes were related to contraband, but some were charged with sexual assault, brutality, or extortion.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over 150 individuals were arrested in Georgia on Thursday in a major investigation involving drones smuggling contraband into prisons. Among those arrested were eight Georgia Department of Corrections officials. The operation, which took place at two Atlanta-area facilities, was commended by Gov. Brian Kemp for dismantling the illicit activity<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2643,"featured_media":2208772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AP24089001004015-1024x592.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2208771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AP24089001004015-1024x592.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2208771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2643"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2208771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2208771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2208772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2208771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2208771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2208771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}