12 Charged in Louisiana Prison Drone Smuggling Case

POLLOCK, La - A federal prison in Louisiana has been linked to what investigators say was a sophisticated drone smuggling operation that stretched across 8 states, allegedly delivered drugs, phones, weapons, and other contraband directly into prison yards.

Federal prosecutors say the operation lasted for years and involved multiple inmates and outside accomplices who coordinated drone flights into prisons across the country.

Louisiana Prison Among 10 Federal Facilities Targeted

According to a federal indictment, the Federal Correctional Institution in Pollock, Louisiana, was one of 10 federal prisons allegedly targeted by the drone operation.

Prosecutors say the conspiracy began in September 2023 and continued through May 2026. During that time, six drones were allegedly used to make "at least 38 successful or attempted drops" into prisons located in eight different states.

From ABCNews.com -

"The alleged operation reached prisons in:

Louisiana
Georgia
Mississippi
Florida
Kentucky
Virginia
New Jersey
Pennsylvania"

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What Was Allegedly Being Smuggled Into Prisons?

According to the indictment, the smuggled packages involved a wide range of illegal contraband, including:

Methamphetamine
Marijuana
Cell phones
Tobacco products
Weapons
Other prohibited items

Twelve People Face Federal Charges

The Department of Justice says 12 people have now been indicted in connection with the conspiracy. The 12 people charged include both inmates and individuals outside prison walls who allegedly planned, financed, and carried out the drone flights.

Louisiana Has Already Seen Multiple Drone Smuggling Cases

Earlier this year, authorities in Grant Parish arrested suspects accused of attempting to fly methamphetamine into the Federal Correctional Complex in Pollock using a drone. In a separate case, two Mexican nationals were charged after investigators say they attempted to deliver methamphetamine to the same prison using a drone.

If convicted, several defendants could face lengthy prison sentences.

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Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott