A series of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey has set off conspiracy theories and speculation, particularly following reports of missing radioactive material linked to medical equipment. Recently, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham stoked these theories, questioning what the drones could be scouting for. "What might they be looking for? Maybe that's radioactive material," he speculated during his appearance on Fox TV's "Good Day New York".
These theories gained traction after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an alert on December 5, 2023, about a piece of medical equipment containing trace amounts of radioactive material reportedly lost during transit on December 2. The shipment, departing from the Nazha Cancer Center, contained the Eckert & Ziegler model HEGL-0132 device, utilized as a radiation source for cat scan machines. The shipment's container reportedly arrived "damaged and empty," prompting unease among New Jersey residents.
According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the shipment was mishandled during delivery, and there was no immediate cause for concern. Dr. James Dalzell, associated with the Nazha Cancer Center, clarified to ABC News, "It was shipped via FedEx, which temporarily misplaced the item," ensuring the public of its safe retrieval. He confirmed the radioactive material had been properly disposed of after securing it for safe transport. "The material was depleted ahead of its transport to the disposal facility. It only needed to be wrapped with Styrofoam to make it safe for shipping," explained Dalzell.
For their part, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) assuaged fears about the material, confirming it had been located and properly repackaged before returning to the manufacturer. They asserted, "The device has a very low-level radiation source approved for shipping through common carriers like FedEx," and stressed it did not pose any serious threat.
Despite the reassurances from officials, the curious alignment of the drone sightings with the narrative of missing radioactive material sparked widespread speculation and gilt-edged theories across social media platforms. Notably, John Ferguson, CEO of a remote-aircraft-system company, fueled the fire by releasing a video discussing the drones' purpose. Although he acknowledged he doesn't believe the drones pose any threat, he claimed, "The only reason why you would ever fly an unmanned aircraft at night is if you’re looking for something.”
Adding to the conversation, podcaster Joe Rogan discussed Ferguson’s clip, echoing concern over the situation and garnering attention to the hypothesis of drones linked to searching for possibly hazardous materials. Yet, federal agencies quickly refuted this narrative. A spokesperson from the National Nuclear Security Administration clarified, stating, "The Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration's Nuclear Emergency Support Team does not employ drones for nuclear/radiological detection missions," reinforcing the notion of no connection between the drone sightings and the lost radioactive device.
This issue has not only turned heads within the community but triggered actions from federal entities invested in the matter. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued joint statements highlighting investigations related to the drone activity after accumulating more than 5,000 tips about sightings across six states within the last month. They advised the public not to panic and indicated the sightings likely involved lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and even manned aircraft, along with misidentified stars.
Nevertheless, many citizens remain anxious over the drone activity. Chief critics argue the lack of clarity from officials has allowed fears and misinformation to spread. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker articulated the frustration with the federal government's response, stating, "There hasn’t been enough transparency... It’s allowing potentially misinformation to spread, or at least fear. We should know what’s going on over our skies.”
With reports of agitation growing within local communities, professionals continue to dissect the drone sightings against their relationship with the potential loss of radioactive material. Ongoing investigations aim to identify sources behind drone sightings but so far have drawn attention only to legal aircraft and drones rather than any nefarious activities. The singularity of the situation offers intrigue, with thousands flocking to social media to share their theories and experiences.
Heading forward, state officials, alongside the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, resolve to continue investigations surrounding the drone sightings, reporting back to concerned residents who remain watchful. While the current identity of these drones stays mostly untraceable, community members collectively remain engaged, balancing concern with eagerness to derive meaning from the sky's sporadic dance of unmanned aircraft. The hope remains to demystify their presence without raising alarms about connections to the supposed missing radioactive material.
