San Diego-area Border Patrol agents make drug seizure after spotting drone flying over border

Border Patrol agents stationed near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California recently made a seizure of more than 13 pounds of methamphetamine after a would-be smuggler was observed using a remote-controlled drone to fly over the international border.

“Due to the agents’ heightened vigilance, this drone smuggling scheme was stopped before these dangerous narcotics could enter our communities,” Acting Assistant Chief Patrol in Charge Boone Smith said.

The incident, which occurred on Aug. 8 at approximately 11:25 PM, began as a lone Border Patrol agent noticed a drone fly over a nearby border fence approximately two miles west of the San Ysidro port. The agent then notified other border personnel to keep a lookout for the drone.

Approximately 15 minutes after the drone was first spotted, an agent riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) spotted a man near the border carrying a large open bag. Upon inspection, the agent discovered that the suspect was carrying multiple plastic-wrapped packages containing methamphetamine, weighing a total of 13.44 pounds, which carried an approximate street value of $46,000.

After arresting the smuggler, the agents searched the immediate area and were able to find the man’s drone concealed underbrush. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the drone was approximately two feet in height.

The drone and narcotics were seized by agents while the suspect was handed over to law enforcement authorities for criminal processing.