SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — Contraband drones are overwhelming Washington County , where nearly half the jail population now consists of suspects caught smuggling drugs and cell phones into the state prison.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office says they have made 17 arrests this year for drone drop operations targeting Washington State Prison. 74 of the 170 inmates in the county jail face charges related to prison drop cases, per the sheriff's office - roughly 44% of the total jail population.

"This is a huge criminal operation being run from within the Georgia state prison facilities," Sheriff Joel Cochran said.

Cochran said the problem extends far beyond Washington County.

"It's a nationwide issue going on. It's going on in every part of the United States," he said. "These gangs and the

See Full Page