Law enforcement in Georgia dismantled a major criminal network involved in drug smuggling and other illegal activities.
Operation Skyhawk resulted in over 150 arrests and the seizure of $7 million in contraband.
“This will be the largest gang RICO case in the history of the state of Georgia and it originated by the men and women here at the Georgia Department of Corrections,” GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said.
Raids targeted Thunder Drones, a company accused of using drones to drop drugs and phones into prisons.
The owner, Robert Schwartz, was arrested along with others including civilians, prison staff, and inmates.
“All I do is repair drones. I’ve been doing, I’ve been repairing radio-controlled things for 50 years. I don’t know what they’re even here for,” Schwartz said.
Over 50 drones were seized, along with 51 pounds of suspected ecstasy, 22 guns, and 273 cell phones.
Eight correctional officers were among those arrested.
The operation intercepted communications implicating Schwartz and uncovered two additional suspects during a raid.
It is said to lead to the largest RICO gang case in Georgia’s history.
“We stopped roughly 170 prison drops during the investigation,” GDC Special Agent Gregg Phillips said. “We’ve arrested 146 individuals associated with contraband drops. Out of those, eight of them are correctional officers, or were.”
Authorities thanked collaborating agencies for helping protect communities and prisons from trafficked contraband.
“Georgia will not tolerate those who put our communities at risk by trafficking drugs, weapons, and contraband both in and out of our correctional facilities,” Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said.
“I want to thank Commissioner Oliver, the hardworking men and women of the GDC, and all law enforcement who worked to shut these operations down and help keep both Georgians and our correctional facilities safe.”
