The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a warning on an increase in Chinese-manufactured signal jammers to the United States.
Signal jammers can be used to disrupt radio frequency channels and can pose a threat to civilian aviation, critical infrastructure, emergency response, and law enforcement. Since 2021, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has had an approximately 830 percent spike in seizures. Chinese companies attempt to subvert inspection, and the jammers are prohibited in China for public use.
“Signal jammers have been used by illegal aliens across the country to jam communications during police operations, bank robberies, burglaries, and other dangerous crimes,” a DHS spokesperson said. “Under the vigilance of CBP, national security begins at America’s ports. As Chinese manufacturers attempt to smuggle signal jammers, we will continue to seize these tools of terrorism.”
It is a violation of federal law to import, operate market or sell any signal jamming equipment that interferes with law enforcement communications, GPS or radar.
Jammer incidents cited in the warning include:
South American illegal aliens jammed calls to police during home invasions or bank robberies in seven states.
Law enforcement in Texas recovered a signal jammer while arresting an illegal alien from Chile.
A criminal used a jammer as law enforcement responded to a burglary.