Two Texas women have been arrested after allegedly using drones to fly plastic crows, containing drugs, phones and tobacco, into a Louisiana prison.
Melanie Jean Worthington, 38, and Kassy Marie Cole, 41, allegedly piloted the crow decoys to the federal prison in Grant Parish, which is located in the center of the state.
The pair has told authorities that they were paid $40,000 to pull off the drop-off scheme, according to a press release from Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not confirmed whether a single drop-off was made using the fake crows or a series of deliveries.
Both women have been charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and for taking contraband into a penal institution.
Cole also faces a charge of possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute and an outstanding warrant.
Worthington faces a charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The GPSO shared an image of one of the plastic crows, which was even fitted with a black beak and eyes. The fake bird was wrapped in black tape and appeared to have a white package strapped to its back.
According to WCTV, Worthington and Cole are the 9th and 10th suspects to be arrested for trying to smuggle contraband into the federal prison in Grant Parish in 2026.
The development comes just weeks after a 23-year-old man allegedly tried to smuggle 12 gallons of vodka into the same facility.
John Mitchell, from Shreveport, was arrested on a charge of taking contraband into a penal institution, according to a GPSO statement.
The sheriff’s office announced the arrest on February 20, but has not yet confirmed how Mitchell tried to smuggle the 12 gallons of vodka into the prison.
On February 9, the GPSO confirmed in a statement that a 36-year-old woman had been arrested for allegedly smuggling psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana into the prison in Grant Parish.
Gloria Harmon, from Missouri, allegedly tried to transport an amount of mushrooms worth $2,300 into the jail. The marijuana she allegedly attempted to take into the facility was valued at nearly $10,000.
She was charged with possession of psilocybin mushrooms with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution.
The Independent has contacted the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office for comment.
