Fifteen Chemical-Spraying Drones Stolen From New Jersey Firm
Fifteen chemical-spraying drones were stolen from a New Jersey company on April 27, 2026, in a heist that removed nearly $870,000 worth of equipment and raised immediate safety concerns. (foxnews.com)
The missing machines are specialized drones used for spraying chemicals, and the theft was called a "nightmare scenario" in initial coverage. The Fox News report emphasized the scale and potential risks posed by the loss.
The episode traces back to the single theft at the unnamed New Jersey firm, which left a large cache of advanced equipment vulnerable to misuse. The description of the incident has focused attention on how commercially available aerial sprayers could be repurposed if recovered by bad actors.
As of the report, investigators and company officials had not publicly disclosed suspects or a recovery timeline. The theft and the high dollar value of the missing drones have prompted broader questions about security for industrial drone fleets.
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📌 Key Facts
- Fifteen Ceres Air C31 industrial sprayer drones were stolen from CAC International in Harrison, New Jersey, on March 24, 2026.
- Each drone is valued at about $58,000, for a total loss of nearly $870,000.
- The theft allegedly involved a delivery driver using a fraudulent bill of lading to obtain the shipment.
- The drones can carry and spray up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals, raising public safety and national security concerns.
- A former FBI agent and a prior U.S. Army report both warned such drones could be misused as delivery systems for chemical or biological agents.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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