Nearly $870K in chemical spraying drones stolen from NJ company in 'nightmare scenario' heist: report

Nearly $870,000 worthy of concern drones susceptible of dispersing ample amounts of liquid chemicals were stolen from a New Jersey institution successful what could go a "nightmare scenario," according to a caller report.

Fifteen Ceres Air C31 drones were stolen from CAC International successful Harrison, N.J., connected March 24, according to The High Side substack. The drones were allegedly stolen by a transportation operator who duped the company, the study said.

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In total, a Ceres Air C31 costs astir $58,000, meaning that astir $870,000 of instrumentality was allegedly stolen.

The study said that a fraudulent measure of lading was shown erstwhile picking up the drones, and CAC International allegedly considered them legitimate.

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A drone is pictured flying implicit a residential neighborhood. (iStock)

The drones are equipped to clasp and spray up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals, reportedly causing interest wrong the U.S. government.

"This was 1 of the astir highly blase thefts [the FBI] person seen successful a agelong time, which is the main happening that has them truthful spooked," said an idiosyncratic who was briefed connected the situation, according to the report.

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A drone flies successful the entity during a objection by Chinese drone shaper DJI successful Montreal, Canada, connected Nov. 13, 2019, showcasing an app that tracks drone registration and ownership. (Reuters)

Former FBI cause Steve Lazarus said the drones could beryllium a information to the public.

"Even communal chemicals, utilized improperly, tin beryllium a nationalist information danger. Throw successful the Internet recipes for biologic and chemic weapons that anyone with a Tor browser has entree to, and this is simply a imaginable nightmare scenario," Lazarus said successful an interrogation with The High Side. "These aren’t hobby drones with cameras. They’re concern sprayers designed to transportation and disperse important amounts of liquid rapidly and with precision."

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A drone flies implicit the water astatine dawn, capturing aerial views arsenic the prima rises. (iStock)

"The bureau is freaked retired for a bully reason," Lazarus said.

The U.S. Army raised concerns successful a 2020 report, stating that specified chemical-spraying drones could beryllium utilized successful attacks.

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"Such drones are readily disposable and could beryllium utilized arsenic a transportation strategy for chemic oregon biologic attacks," said the report.

"A UAS [chemical oregon biologic warfare] transportation level is simply a definite possibility, particularly for processing nations," the study said.

Fox News Digital reached retired to the FBI, Harrison Police Department, Ceres and CAC International for comment.