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Authorities in Columbus, Georgia, have apprehended two individuals who attempted to smuggle contraband into Hancock State Prison using a drone. This incident unfolded under the cover of night on February 5, 2026, when prison officials alerted the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office about a suspicious vehicle near the facility’s perimeter.
At approximately 11 p.m., officers spotted the vehicle, which was suspected of being involved in a drone drop operation aimed at delivering illicit items to inmates. The vehicle was seen driving erratically near Johnny Britt Road and Linton Road, prompting deputies to initiate a traffic stop.
Inside the car were 35-year-old Timothy Lamar Massengale from Lagrange and 35-year-old Angela Renee Dinkins from Columbus. As deputies approached, they immediately detected a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, which led to a more thorough investigation.
Following the search, deputies discovered a cache of materials inside the vehicle, underscoring the seriousness of the attempted smuggling operation. These findings mark a significant success in the ongoing efforts to thwart contraband delivery into state prisons, showcasing the critical role of vigilance and swift action by law enforcement.
After inspecting the vehicle, deputies found the following:
- $1,000.00 USD
- 11.5 lbs of marijuana
- 44 lbs of tobacco
- 11 cellphones
- One iPad
- 17 charging cables and 4 charging blocks
- Two headphones
- Two bungee cables
- One JB Weld (bond)
- One tool kit
- Zip ties
- Medicine
Massengale and Dinkins were charged with 34 counts of trading with inmates without the consent of the warden, one count of use of unmanned aircraft, one count of use of communication device in commission of a felony, one count of possession of tools for commission of a crime, one count of trafficking of marijuana, one count of possession with the intent to distribute of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime.