The use of covert drones along the United States-Mexico border has increasedsignificantly in recent months. However, their use is not exclusive to law enforcement.
The stationing of U.S. drones in Mexico has allowed for longer flight times to gather information on drug cartels.
Un soldado americano con un dron
However, new reports detail that the same technology (albeit less sophisticated) is being used by criminal organizations. The drones are used to track the movement of Border Patrol agents.
Cartels and criminal organizations have begun using drones to identify where authorities are located. With that information, they can manage illegal entries into the United States, according to Border Report.
"We're trying to pinpoint exactly where they are to stop that tactic," said Walter N. Slosar, interim chief agent of the El Paso Border Patrol sector.
Slosar added that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in El Pasowork alongside Mexican agencies to enhance security.
Los drones ayudan a encontrar escondites y rastrear movimientos
Officials believe that criminal groups have built cross-border tunnels. This follows the discovery of a quarter-mile-long structure from Ciudad Juárez to Gate 28 of the U.S. border wall.
"We don't know if there's another tunnel or if there are no other tunnels, but we're working every day to find out if there are. If they exist, we'll stop those illegal operations," said Slosar at a press conference.
Un soldado operador de dron
It's worth noting that the Chihuahua-Texas border sector is not the only place where criminal groups' drones have been spotted.
According to agent Diana Ibarra, CBP discovered that human traffickers use drones to track agents patrolling the border. Between San Diego and Tijuana, agents assert that the problem has become a trend.
"We've detected where they're flying on the south side of the border. We've also detected them when they fly north," Ibarra told Border Report.
In addition to tracking their movements, criminal groups have also used drones to attack Border Patrol agents.
Dron hecho por los carteles
Last month, an alleged group of human traffickers linked to an undisclosed cartelexchanged gunfire with CBP agents. The suspects were attempting to cross the border.
A CBP document suggested that cartels have been given "green light" to attack agents with explosive devices attached to drones. It reminded agents to use ballistic armor and employ long firearms in their duties.
