BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) — A man is behind bars, and the Butts County Sheriff is calling for change after deputies intercepted a potential contraband drone drop on Wednesday night. Sheriff Gary Long told WGXA that around 7:30 p.m., deputies pulled over a driver heading south on I-75 in Butts County when they smelled marijuana inside the vehicle. Long said the driver consented to a search, during which deputies found two large drones and packages with drugs, weapons and cellphones inside, which they believe were intended for a contraband drop at a South Georgia prison. The sheriff confirmed that the items seized included bags of tobacco, marijuana, ecstasy, hydrocodone and other painkillers, as well as shanks, knives, cellphones and chargers. The driver was arrested and is now facing multiple charges. RELATED | FCC approves proposal to allow cellphone jammers in state and local prisons across U.S. However, Sheriff Long took to social media to urge lawmakers to address the issues in Georgia prisons or continue to ignore what he calls the "largest taxpayer-funded gang recruitment center in the state." WGXA has extensively covered drone contraband drops happening at Middle Georgia prisons and what local, state and federal authorities are working to combat them, including through cell phone jamming technology. Stick with US as we learn more and keep you ready for what's next.
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