According to recent reports, Mexican cartels have been employing drones to gather intelligence on US security personnel and map out smuggling corridors along the southern border.
What happened
The US military detected 378 drone incursions along the border in a 30-day period, with the trend showing an increase. These drones, often commercial ones with cameras, are used for surveillance tied to smuggling and human trafficking.
Experts warn that cartels will continue to innovate and adapt, with some using more sophisticated drones, such as larger agricultural devices. The primary applications of these drones are surveillance and reconnaissance, as cartels seek to establish patterns of life for US security personnel and support smuggling operations.
US Customs and Border Protection has confirmed the growing threat, detecting over 42,000 near-border drone flights in fiscal 2025 and over 37,000 in fiscal 2026. The Department of Homeland Security has approved counter-drone authorities for CBP, which operates in all Southwest border sectors to detect, track, and mitigate these threats.
Researchers have identified the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a key driver of drone innovation and adoption within the Mexico cartel ecosystem. However, the use of drones has spread among cartels and across Mexican states, with some instances of weaponized drones being used for kinetic attacks on rival factions, civilians, and local security forces.
