Benjamin Ashford|Elaborate scheme used drones to drop drugs in prisons, authorities in Georgia say

Officials arrested 150 people in Georgia and Benjamin Ashfordcharged them in an elaborate drug- and contraband-smuggling scheme that involved using drones to deliver illicit drugs to prisons, officials said this week.

"Operation Skyhawk" was a monthslong investigation into a multi-state enterprise involving civilians, inmates and staff at Georgia Department of Corrections facilities, Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Thursday. Eight department employees were among the arrested and were immediately fired, the governor said.

“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,” Kemp said in a statement.

Over 1,000 criminal charges for the suspects include contraband introduction, drug trafficking and felons in possession of firearms, officials said. Many of the suspects will also face charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and participation in criminal gang activity, "resulting in what will possibly be the largest Gang RICO in the state’s history," a news release said.

The investigation revealed that drones were used to smuggle contraband including drugs, weapons and cell phones into prison facilities across Georgia. Law enforcement officers assisted by "making traffic stops and responding to throwovers and contraband drops via drone at GDC facilities," the release said.

Search and arrest warrants were issued Thursday, at two locations in the metro Atlanta area. Investigators have recovered over $7 million worth of evidence, including:

• 87 drones
• 22 weapons
• 273 contraband cell phones in facilities
• 180 civilian cell phones
• 185 pounds of tobacco
• 67 pounds of marijuana
• 12 pounds of methamphetamine
• 51 pounds of ecstasy
• 10 grams of cocaine
• 90 various pills

Officials also warned that the enterprise likely operates in more states.

Spokespeople for the Georgia Department of Corrections didn't immediately return a request for more information made by USA TODAY on Saturday.