A brazen crime shook North Kern State Prison (NKSP) when Jorge Narvaez, a 28-year-old man from Delano, California, piloted a drone over the facility with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 9, 2024.

Narvaez loaded the drone with two balloons packaged with methamphetamine and flew it over the prison, dropping the balloons into the prison yard. NKSP officers recovered both balloons, which were later analyzed by a laboratory. The analysis confirmed that the two balloons contained a total of 21.4 grams of methamphetamine.

On the same date, Narvaez attempted a second drone flight over NKSP with three similarly packaged balloons of methamphetamine, but the drone crashed into a nearby field. Law enforcement recovered the drone and balloons of methamphetamine. Laboratory analysis confirmed that these three balloons contained a total of 49.6 grams of methamphetamine.

Narvaez pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on October 20, 2025. A forensic examination of the recovered drone revealed camera footage captured by the device, which showed the operator of the drone, later determined by investigators to be Narvaez.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Kern State Prison Investigative Services Unit conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas E. Karp prosecuted the case.

Jorge Narvaez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff to 12 years and 7 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Narvaez’s actions put the safety of NKSP inmates and staff at risk, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crime.

This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of drone smuggling and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat it. The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this case as more information becomes available.

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