Two Texas women have been arrested after authorities say they tried to smuggle drugs, cell phones and tobacco into a Louisiana federal prison using a bizarre aerial delivery system involving a drone and plastic crow decoys.

Melanie Jean Worthington, 38, and Kassy Marie Cole, 41, were taken into custody Monday, March 9, according to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators say the pair attempted to drop contraband onto prison grounds by stuffing the illegal items inside hollow plastic crow decoys and flying them over the facility with a drone.

Once the decoys were in position above the prison complex, authorities say the women allegedly released the fake birds so they would fall inside the prison perimeter.

The unusual scheme didn’t stay airborne for long.

Deputies confronted the women during the operation and quickly discovered the unusual containers were packed with contraband intended for inmates.

According to the sheriff’s office, the decoy crows had been filled with drugs, cell phones and tobacco — items that are highly sought after inside prisons and can fetch large prices in the underground economy behind bars.

Authorities say both women admitted they had been paid handsomely for the job.

According to investigators, the pair told deputies they were promised $40,000 to carry out the unusual smuggling operation.

Officials have not yet identified who allegedly hired them or which inmates the contraband was intended for.

Worthington, who is from Joshua, Texas, now faces several charges, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution.

Cole, from Hurst, Texas, faces similar allegations. She was arrested on charges of possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution. Authorities also said she had an outstanding warrant at the time of her arrest.

Investigators have not disclosed how they first became aware of the alleged smuggling attempt or whether prison officials had been tracking suspicious drone activity prior to the arrests.

What is clear is that the unusual method caught the attention of law enforcement.

Drone technology has increasingly been used in recent years for smuggling operations, particularly in prisons where traditional methods of delivering contraband — such as visitors or corrupt staff — have been more closely monitored.

Still, authorities say the use of plastic bird decoys as airborne delivery containers stands out even among the more creative schemes investigators have seen.

Both women were booked into custody as the investigation continues.

Officials have not ruled out additional arrests as they attempt to determine who organized the operation and whether similar smuggling attempts may have taken place before.