Texas Women Arrested for Using Drone Disguised as Crows to Smuggle Drugs Into Louisiana Prison

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Two Texas women, Melanie Jean Worthington and Kassy Marie Cole, have been arrested for allegedly using a drone disguised with hollowed-out plastic crow decoys to smuggle drugs and cellphones into the United States Penitentiary, Pollock in Grant Parish, Louisiana. The women claimed they were paid $40,000 to drop the contraband-filled 'crows' into the federal prison facility before being intercepted by authorities.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of drone-enabled smuggling into prisons, which poses serious security risks and undermines efforts to maintain order and safety within correctional facilities. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures to prevent the introduction of contraband and the need for enhanced security protocols to address emerging technological threats.

The details

According to the Grant Parish Sheriff's Department, the two women used a drone equipped with hollowed-out plastic crow decoys to fly the contraband over the prison walls. The suspects were charged with various offenses, including taking contraband into a penal institution and possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute. This is the second time in the past year that authorities have encountered an unusual method of smuggling drugs and other prohibited items into the same Louisiana prison, with a previous incident involving the use of a 'meth cannon' to shoot contraband over the walls.

• The incident occurred on March 9, 2026.
• In 2025, authorities arrested two men for using a 'meth cannon' to attempt to shoot $112,000 worth of tobacco and $89,500 worth of methamphetamine over the prison walls.

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the two suspects, and authorities will continue to investigate the incident and any potential connections to other smuggling operations at the prison.