Suspected cartel drones near southern border in Arizona

Mexican cartels are using increasingly sophisticated tactics along the U.S.-Mexico border, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the NY Post reports. These cartel drones serve multiple purposes, from surveillance to potential attacks. In the Sonora region, just south of Arizona, rival criminal groups have been spotted using explosive drones against each other.

The frequency of drone sightings near the border is alarming. It is estimated that more than 1,000 UAVs enter U.S. airspace every month, raising significant national security concerns.

“I don’t know the actual number — I don’t think anyone does — but it’s in the thousands,” Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of North American Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “We … are probably doing over 1,000 a month.”

These breaches highlight the vulnerabilities of current border surveillance systems, which are primarily designed to detect larger aircraft.

Law enforcement agencies are facing new challenges as cartels deploy this technology. Border Patrol agents report that drones are being used to monitor their operations, potentially compromising the effectiveness of their efforts to curb illegal activity.

This tactic allows criminal organizations to quickly adapt to enforcement strategies.

The threat extends beyond surveillance. In parts of Mexico, such as Michoacán, cartel-controlled drones have been used in attacks, resulting in casualties among Mexican military personnel.

Cartel drones pose threat at the border

The proximity of these activities to U.S. territory underscores the urgency of addressing this evolving threat.

Important points of attention are:

Intelligence gathering by cartels
Potential for cross-border attacks
Facilitating drug trafficking
Interference with law enforcement operations

U.S. lawmakers are taking notice of this emerging threat. Proposed legislation aims to improve the nation’s ability to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAS).

These efforts include:

Creating specialized task forces
Implementation of new detection technologies
Conducting military exercises to simulate drone threats
Improving coordination between defense and internal security services

Current radar systems, while effective at tracking commercial aircraft, struggle to detect smaller, low-flying drones.

This restriction also applies to domestic military installations, many of which do not have sufficient sensors to identify miniature UAVs.

Experts stress the need for a comprehensive approach to border security that includes advanced drone detection and countermeasures. This could include:

Upgrading existing radar systems
Deployment of specialized anti-drone technologies
Improving inter-agency cooperation
Development of new legal frameworks to address airstrikes

The drone threat isn’t limited to the southern border. Similar concerns exist along the northern border with Canada, prompting calls for a unified strategy to protect U.S. airspace from all directions.

As criminal organizations continue to embrace advanced technologies, law enforcement and defense agencies must adapt their tactics accordingly. The use of drones by cartels represents a significant shift in the landscape of border security and drug trafficking.

The implications of this technological arms race extend beyond immediate border issues. The potential for drones to be used in a range of criminal activities, from smuggling to acts of terrorism, requires a proactive and adaptive security posture.

As the situation evolves, continued research and development in anti-drone technologies will play a critical role. Innovations in electronic warfare, signal jamming, and kinetic interception systems can provide new tools to combat this aerial threat.

The border drone threat exemplifies the dynamic nature of modern security challenges. It underscores the need for agility in policymaking and technology adoption to stay ahead of criminal innovations.

The image shown is for illustration purposes only.