British drone suspects released without charges, police say

Passengers arrive in Gatwick Airport in Sussex, England on Friday after flights were grounded for 36 hours last week, following drone sightings near the runway Wednesday night. Two people arrested in connection with the incident have since been released without charges. Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE

Dec. 23 (UPI) — Two people arrested in England on suspicion of the criminal use of drones are no longer considered suspects, Sussex Police said.

The 47-year-old man and 54-year-old woman from West Sussex were arrested Friday night after drones were seen flying close to the runway at Gatwick Airport.

Flights affecting about 140,000 passengers were grounded for 36 hours while the incident was investigated.

Sussex Police said the man and woman who were arrested have been released from custody and were not charged with any crimes, the BBC reported Sunday.

“Both people have fully cooperated with our [inquiries] and I am satisfied that they are no longer suspects in the drone incidents at Gatwick,” Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said in a statement to Gizmodo. “Our inquiry continues at a pace to locate those responsible for the drone incursions, and we continue to actively follow lines of investigation.”

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