The use of drones by Mexican cartels to conduct violent attacks has escalated to alarming levels, shedding light on the mounting security threats at our southern border. This pressing issue was scrutinized during a recent House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, where Carl Landrum, a retired chief of the Border Patrol’s Laredo, Texas region, provided a grim testimony.
Landrum, now vice president of civilian programs and strategy at Dedrone, a counter-drone defense company, detailed how cartels are weaponizing unmanned aerial systems to perpetrate violence against both rival gangs and the public. He testified that “dozens and dozens” of violent incidents in Mexico have been facilitated through these drones, highlighting their dangerous capabilities. The disturbing incidents include the October arrest of eight Colombians in Mexico, who were caught building drones equipped with improvised explosive devices for a narcotics smuggling gang.
The extent of this technological menace was further illustrated by a gruesome attack in Guerrero, Mexico, where drones controlled by cartels burned five people to death in January. More recently, indigenous villagers in Michoacan state fell victim to drone attacks orchestrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. These chilling examples underscore the severity of the threat posed by cartel-operated drones.
Landrum pointed out that part of the problem lies in the United States’ “very limited amounts” of counter-drone technology. While the U.S. has advanced systems for detecting drones, it remains critically deficient in offensive measures to intercept and neutralize these devices physically. This gap in capabilities poses significant national security risks and hampers the efforts to counter the growing drone threat effectively.
Despite these limitations, Border Patrol reported noteworthy successes in the government’s fiscal 2022, using its drones to spot and intercept over 51,000 illegal immigrants crossing the border. Drones, or unmanned aerial systems, have increasingly become vital tools for federal law enforcement. These high-tech devices provide agents with a bird’s-eye view that is otherwise unattainable through traditional methods, enabling them to monitor and track unauthorized entries across land, air, and sea borders.
Integrating drones in border security operations reflects an evolving landscape where technology plays a pivotal role. However, as cartels adapt and exploit these technologies for nefarious purposes, it underscores the urgent need for the United States to address its vulnerabilities in counter-drone capabilities. The use of advanced technology must be coupled with robust strategies to mitigate the risks and ensure the security of our borders.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, decisive action becomes paramount. Addressing the technological threats posed by cartels and enhancing countermeasures will not only safeguard national security but also protect communities from the escalating violence inflicted by these criminal organizations. The discourse on securing our borders must pivot towards closing these critical security gaps and fortifying our defenses against the technologically adept adversaries we face.
