Cartels Dropped 60,000 Drones Along US Border in Six Months

Rising Concerns Over Mexican Drones Near the U.S. Border

Every day, an average of 328 Mexican drones are reported to come within 500 meters of the U.S. border, sparking significant concerns about the safety of border agents and the potential for dangerous drugs to enter the country undetected. This issue has become a growing priority for U.S. authorities as they grapple with the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by transnational criminal organizations.

Steven Willoughby, deputy director of the Department of Homeland Security’s counter-drone program, highlighted the threat posed by these drones during testimony before the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. He stated that nearly every day, criminal groups utilize drones to transport illicit narcotics and contraband across borders and conduct hostile surveillance of law enforcement. Since July 2024 through December 2024, federal authorities detected 60,000 such drone flights just south of the border, with 27,000 unique remote-controlled crafts involved in these operations.

Most of these drones operate at night or at altitudes that are restricted in both Mexico and the United States. In the U.S., the limit is 400 feet, while in Mexico, it is 120 meters. These altitudes provide Mexican drone operators with a clear view of U.S. Border Patrol agents’ movements, allowing them to guide migrants away from certain areas or identify locations for drug drops that can be retrieved later.

Cartel Drones Monitoring U.S. Border Activities

Willoughby also reminded senators of the dangers posed by cartel drones, which have been used to attack each other and even Mexican authorities. Last January, members of transnational criminal organizations attacked a column of Mexican soldiers and police officers in the northern border state of Chihuahua, wounding two public servants. In August, two Mexican soldiers were killed by explosives dropped from a drone in Michoacan state.

“The warring cartel factions have attacked one another using drone-delivered explosives, and it’s only a matter of time before Americans or law enforcement are targeted in the border region,” Willoughby said.

The threat extends beyond the border itself. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chair of the Judiciary Committee, and ranking member U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin expressed concerns about “bad actors” not only spying on law enforcement and smuggling drugs through the air but potentially targeting crowds at sporting events or high-profile events like the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament or the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Legislative Efforts to Combat Drone Threats

Both committee leaders hope Congress will soon pass legislation to grant federal officials more judicial authority and funding to counter drone threats. Durbin noted that the Trump administration could have allocated resources for this purpose instead of focusing heavily on deporting undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, federal agencies are collaborating with Mexico to address the growing use of drones by transnational criminal organizations. Michael Torphy, supervisory special agent for the FBI’s Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems unit, emphasized the importance of training Mexican armed forces and law enforcement in drone exploitation. “We are delivering best practices to keep them safer to fight the war, then bringing back the things they are learning in their country because we’ll be better prepared for what is happening with the cartels in Mexico.”

Strengthening Legal Frameworks

Federal officials urged senators to extend the limited, temporary authority provided under the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018, which expires in September. They also recommended modernizing and making the law permanent. The act allows DHS and Department of Justice agencies to track drones deemed as possible threats, identify and warn operators, electronically jam the craft without consent, and in extraordinary circumstances use reasonable force to disable the UAS.

As the threat from cartel drones continues to evolve, the need for a coordinated and comprehensive response remains urgent. With the potential for increased attacks and the risk of harm to both law enforcement and civilians, addressing this issue is critical to ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. border region.