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In a significant recovery mission, federal agents have successfully retrieved 15 industrial drones designed for dispersing substantial quantities of liquid chemicals. These drones had been stolen from a company in New Jersey, as confirmed by officials involved in the operation.
The drones in question, known as Ceres Air C31 industrial spray drones, were taken from CAC International, a logistics and shipping firm based in Harrison, New Jersey. The theft occurred on March 24 and raised alarm bells among experts, with some describing the situation as a potential “nightmare scenario,” according to reports from The High Side Substack.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Newark announced the recovery of these drones, which took place in Dover, New Jersey, more than a month after they were initially stolen. This operation underscores the seriousness with which authorities treated the incident given the drones’ capabilities.
The stolen drones were finally reclaimed by HSI agents on April 27. This recovery was facilitated by collaboration with the New Jersey State Police, who had previously informed Fox News that the drones were found at Prudent Corporation, a trucking company with a warehouse located at the site.
The New Jersey State Police said in an earlier statement to Fox News that the drones were recovered at Prudent Corporation, a trucking company that has a warehouse at the location.
“On April 27th, the New Jersey State Police Cargo Theft Unit recovered 15 stolen agricultural drones and spray systems. These drones are labeled as agricultural drones due to their specified function as registered crop dusters. The theft occurred on March 24th at CAC International, a logistics and shipping company located in Harrison, NJ. The drones were recovered at Prudent Corporation located in Dover, NJ. This is an active, ongoing investigation that Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Patrol are assisting with. No additional information is available,” the New Jersey State Police wrote.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ceres Air said “at no point was there a risk of unauthorized use.”
“Ceres systems are built with multiple layers of control, including secure activation protocols, remote lock capability, and separated battery logistics. Without proper authorization, these units cannot be operated,” the company said.Â
“This situation highlights a broader reality in the drone industry. When systems are built and supported domestically, there is accountability. Our equipment is fully traceable through serial tracking and coordinated support networks, all of which exist within the USA. It doesn’t disappear, and it doesn’t operate outside of controlled channels. We build our systems in the United States so they can be tracked, secured, and supported here. That’s exactly what allowed this situation to be resolved quickly and without risk.”
Homeland Security Investigations Newark said on Wednesday that the drones were recovered in Dover, New Jersey, over a month after they were stolen. (iStock)
In total, a Ceres Air C31 costs around $58,000, meaning that nearly $870,000 of equipment was allegedly stolen.Â
The drones were allegedly stolen by a delivery driver who duped the company, according to The High Side Substack. The report said that a fraudulent bill of lading was shown when picking up the drones, and CAC International allegedly considered them legitimate.
The drones are equipped to hold and spray up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals, reportedly causing concern inside the U.S. government.
Former FBI agent Steve Lazarus said the drones could be a danger to the public.
“Even common chemicals, used improperly, can be a public safety danger. Throw in the Internet recipes for biological and chemical weapons that anyone with a Tor browser has access to, and this is a potential nightmare scenario,” Lazarus said in an interview with The High Side.
“These aren’t hobby drones with cameras. They’re industrial sprayers designed to carry and disperse significant amounts of liquid quickly and with precision.”
Fifteen Ceres Air C31 industrial spray drones were stolen from CAC International, a logistics and shipping company in Harrison, New Jersey, on March 24. (iStock)
The U.S. Army raised concerns in a 2020 report, stating that such chemical-spraying drones could be used in attacks.
“Such drones are readily available and could be used as a delivery system for chemical or biological attacks,” said the report.
“A UAS [chemical or biological warfare] delivery platform is a definite possibility, especially for developing nations,” the report said.