The FBI, in collaboration with local and state authorities, has launched an investigation into repeated sightings of large drones flying in formation over central New Jersey. The drones, described as larger than typical hobbyist devices, have been appearing nightly for the past two weeks along the Raritan River, unnerving residents and raising questions about their origin and purpose.
The drones were first reported in mid-November 2024 and have been observed most nights since, with witnesses noting their consistent presence during late-night hours. They have been described as hovering in formation, sometimes accompanied by a possible fixed-wing aircraft, according to the FBI and local reports.
The Raritan River, where the sightings are concentrated, flows through Somerset and Middlesex counties, passing near sensitive locations such as a military installation and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, the frequent retreat of President-elect Donald Trump. The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented temporary flight restrictions in the area as the investigation continues.
Local residents have expressed anxiety over the unexplained drone activity. Julie Shavalier, a Morris County resident, told NBC News that the drones kept her awake at night. “When I would get up and look out my window at 2 a.m., 4 a.m., they were still hovering,” she said. Others, like Mike Walsh, joked about the drones taking a break on Thanksgiving but echoed the community’s concern about their mysterious presence.
Aside from the FBI, the New Jersey State Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are also investigating the sightings. The agencies have asked the public for information and emphasized that there is currently no known threat to public safety.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon reassured residents in a statement, saying, “there is no advisable immediate danger to the public at this time,” while noting the investigation’s priority. Local law enforcement agencies in Morris and Somerset counties also issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to monitoring the situation.
