Cartels Exploiting Drone Technology for Drug Smuggling and Violence

Former DEA Chief of Operations Ray Donovan warns of cartels using drones to smuggle drugs across the US-Mexico border, exacerbating the drug crisis and fuelling violence.

The alarming rise of cartel-operated drones has emerged as a significant threat along the southern US border, facilitating drug smuggling and escalating violence. Former DEA Chief of Operations Ray Donovan has issued a stark warning about the evolving tactics employed by cartels, particularly in Texas, where drones are being utilized for illicit activities.

Cartels Exploiting Drone Technology for Drug Smuggling and Violence

The Mexican army has confirmed the deadly impact of drones in the western state of Michoacan, where drug cartel attacks have claimed the lives of soldiers. Defense Secretary Gen. Luis Cresencio Sandoval has revealed that over 260 drone-bomb incidents occurred in 2023 alone, causing injuries and fatalities among patrol units. The Jalisco cartel, notorious for equipping drones with metal bomb casings, has transformed the region into a conflict zone characterized by IEDs, trenches, and armored vehicles.

Despite the army's ongoing efforts to counter road-side bombs, drone-dropped explosives pose an increasing threat. Officials report that the number of drone-related incidents has significantly increased compared to the previous year. The Mexican army is implementing anti-drone systems to mitigate this danger.

Cartels Exploiting Drone Technology for Drug Smuggling and Violence

The presence of Mexican cartels extends far beyond the border, with the DEA highlighting their significant involvement in the drug crisis in major US cities. Methamphetamine and fentanyl, illicit substances primarily produced by the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels, have flooded American communities, fueling violence and contributing to the unprecedented overdose epidemic.

The DEA report emphasizes the widespread distribution networks established by cartels, involving both wholesale traffickers and street dealers who distribute their deadly products. The agency attributes the escalating drug crisis to the combined efforts of the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, who have wreaked havoc on American society.

Cartels Exploiting Drone Technology for Drug Smuggling and Violence

In April, 12 traffickers linked to the Jalisco cartel were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for coordinating a shipment of nearly 200 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine worth millions of dollars. Additionally, the Mexican Navy acknowledged the tragic loss of two helicopter crew members who perished in the Pacific Ocean while pursuing cocaine-smuggling vessels.

The US Navy has extended assistance to Mexico in recovering the sunken helicopter and retrieving the remains of the crew members. Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his position that strikes against Mexican drug cartels remain under consideration in light of the ongoing fentanyl crisis and overdose fatalities in the United States.

Cartels Exploiting Drone Technology for Drug Smuggling and Violence

Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border are collaborating to combat the pervasive influence of cartels. The DEA's report underscores the urgent need for continued cooperation and strategic measures to disrupt their operations and mitigate the devastating impact of illicit drugs on society.

* [Fox News: Cartels using drones to smuggle drugs across border, former DEA official warns](https://www.foxnews.com/us/cartels-using-drones-smuggle-drugs-across-border-former-dea-official-warns)

* [AP News: Mexican army says drug cartel drones have killed soldiers](https://apnews.com/article/mexico-drug-trafficking-michoacan-c5a5748f995a2f06748b3fd834a77a16)

* [DEA Report: Mexican Drug Cartels Fuel Drug Crisis in US](https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2023/05/10/dea-releases-narcotics-threat-assessment-highlights-deadly-combination-fentanyl)