A growing number of drones are crossing into US airspace at the southern border, raising security concerns.
A growing number of drones are crossing into US airspace at the southern border, raising security concerns . Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector, which spans 34,000 square miles and shares a 277-mile border with Mexico, have reported a surge in drone incursions from Mexico. Agent Andres Garcia, who accompanied KPRC 2 Investigates journalist Robert Arnold on a ride along the Texas border, described the trend as alarming.
He said agents are seeing drones more frequently, surveilling the area, and looking for vulnerabilities to facilitate migrant crossings.According to Chief Gloria Chavez, the Border Patrol Chief for the Rio Grande Valley sector, there were 10,000 drone incursions and 25,000 drone sightings in her sector alone in 2023. She testified before the House Oversight Committee that adversaries possess 17 times the number of drones, twice the flight hours, and unlimited funding to expand their operations. In March 2024, the top general for US Northern Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee that drone incursions along the southern border likely exceed 1,000 per month.The increasing use of drones by transnational criminal organizations poses a significant challenge to border security. These unmanned aerial vehicles can be used for surveillance, smuggling, and even attacks. The ability to cover large distances and operate undetected makes them particularly effective tools for criminal activities. Addressing this growing threat requires a multi-faceted approach, including enhanced surveillance capabilities, stricter drone regulations, and international cooperation
DRONE Incursions US-Mexico Border Security Concerns Transnational Criminal Organizations Border Patrol
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