The Ocean County drone command center has become ground zero for alleged offshore “mothership” activities.

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WATERFRONT HEIGHTS, NJ — The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department has a command center stationed along the waterfront in Seaside Heights after reporting an unusual wave of drones launching from the ocean and flying inland on the New Jersey coast.

In 2012, this area was also ground zero for Superstorm Sandy.

Currently, the only active coastal defense against the suspected incursion is a Mobile Command Center trailer and a few Ocean County Sheriff’s officers in a vacant oceanfront parking lot in Seaside Heights.

Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy revealed this week that 50 drones had been spotted over the ocean, heading inland, including a dozen reportedly following a U.S. Coast Guard vessel in the area.

Drone activity concentrated near the Seaside Heights-Ortley Beach border has local law enforcement searching for answers. However, federal regulations prevent the sheriff’s office from deploying its anti-drone systems to counter or track the devices.

While the Biden administration and Gov. Phil Murphy have assured the public that drones pose no immediate threat, state and federal authorities acknowledge they cannot identify or determine who is operating them.

The FBI had previously rejected a mother drone allegation made by New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew.

Federal authorities have refuted some local claims, but the sightings continue to face scrutiny. Residents are encouraged to report any unusual drone activity, although no immediate action will be taken by state or federal agencies.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shawn Golden have both used the current drone hysteria to call on police to have greater enforcement powers against private drones.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy rejected Van Drew’s claim that an “Iranian mother drone” was operating off the coast of New Jersey, despite Van Drew’s claims that the information was provided to him by American intelligence officials.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he had no idea who was operating the drones, but criticized Van Drew’s assessment.

“I don’t know what he’s watching, maybe he should watch the news,” Murphy said.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh also rejected Van Drew’s claims, saying: “There is no truth to it.” »

Van Drew said of the government’s response: “They’re lying to you.”