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By: Jordan Baker
A massive drone, reportedly abandoned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was recently recovered by NYPD officers after a tip alerted authorities to its presence. The drone, with a body measuring over five feet in diameter, was discovered on the sidewalk near Fifth Street, between Market Street and Morris Avenue.
According to The New York Post, officers were tipped off via email and promptly responded to investigate.
A photograph obtained by The Post shows an NYPD officer smiling while holding the large black drone, which was described as both unwieldy and impressive in size. Sources revealed the drone had been manufactured by Amogy Inc., a sustainable-energy startup specializing in renewable fuel technology, including aerial applications.
As officers assessed the scene, a passerby informed them he worked in the building where Amogy’s headquarters is located. He identified the drone as a product of the company, which focuses on developing ammonia-based renewable energy solutions. Amogy’s CEO, Seonghoon Woo, later confirmed the drone belonged to the company. Woo explained that it had been placed on the sidewalk following a company party held over a month earlier.
Sources noted that the drone had been inoperable and left in the same location for more than a month before its recovery. To ensure safety, the NYPD dispatched an Emergency Services Unit truck to the site to disconnect the drone’s nitrogen components. Once secured, the drone was transported to the 88th precinct for safekeeping.
An Amogy spokesperson, in communication with The Post, clarified that the drone had originally been used three years ago during a demonstration of the company’s clean energy technology. Since then, it had been displayed outside the company’s headquarters at the Navy Yard. After assessing the drone, the NYPD determined it posed no threat and returned it to Amogy. The spokesperson emphasized the company’s full cooperation with authorities throughout the investigation.
Rebecca Weiner, NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism and Intelligence, spoke about the incident during an unrelated briefing. She addressed public concerns over a perceived rise in drone activity in New York and New Jersey, which has been widely reported in recent weeks. According to Weiner, the recent spike in reports may stem from heightened public awareness rather than an actual increase in drone activity.
“What we’ve seen over the past few days here in the city has actually been quite normal, frankly, in terms of the actual drone activity that we see every day,” Weiner said, noting that New York City typically experiences around 2,000 drone flights each week.
Weiner compared the current wave of drone-related reporting to heightened fears following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. She explained that while threats against corporate executives showed a genuine increase, the surge in drone sightings appears to be largely driven by media coverage and public perception.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between vigilance and overreaction in an era where technology and public concern intersect. The NYPD’s swift response, coupled with cooperation from Amogy, ensured a safe and smooth resolution to the unusual case.
