A top official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it's a matter of time before Mexican cartels begin using drones to carry out attacks at the southern border.
"It's just a matter of time until Americans or law enforcement agents are targeted," said Steven Willoughby, eputy Director for the Department of Homeland Security's Counter-UAS Program.
Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Willoughby said cartels already use drones on a daily basis to smuggle drugs and other contraband into the U.S. while also conducting what he called "hostile surveillance" on law enforcement.
"During the last six months of 2024, over 27,000 drones were detected less than 500 meters from the southern border. Most were flying at an altitude above 120 meters," which is the limit set for civilian drones both in the U.S. and Mexico, the official added. Most of the flights took place between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
"Detection of drones by CBP also resulted in the arrest of more than 1,500 in the southwest border, a clear indicator that transnational criminal organizations are adopting the use of drones to conduct surveillance and evade CBP agents and other law enforcement officials," Willoughby added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said drones have not crossed into the U.S., adding that Mexican authorities are in "permanent collaboration" with U.S. counterparts.
"There is communication, there is collaboration, there shouldn't be an additional concern because we're dealing with the situation, not worrying. Remember we also have Operacion Frontera, with 10,000 troops" deployed to the border, Sheinbaum added.
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