Northwest Europe Prisons Hit by 50+ Drug Drone Smuggling Flights

Recent incidents highlight a growing trend of drones being used to smuggle drugs and contraband into prisons across various U.S. states and the U.K. In the North West of England, two men were convicted after a 10-month investigation uncovered over 50 drone flights delivering drugs and mobile phones to six prisons, with authorities seizing 11 drones and drugs valued between £31,000 and £38,000. Similarly, in Georgia, Santonio Knighton was arrested for using a drone to transport large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, tobacco, and prison contraband, facing multiple felony charges. The issue has prompted security discussions in Kansas, where the state is considering legislation and enhanced counter-drone capabilities to combat the delivery of narcotics and phones into prisons, noting that currently only federal law enforcement can intercept drones. These developments underscore the evolving tactics of organized crime in exploiting drone technology to breach prison security, prompting coordinated law enforcement responses and legislative efforts to address the threat.