During a July 11 subcommittee hearing, Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) said that Mexican cartels are now sending fentanyl across the border using drone technology. The hearing was held to discuss the situation at the border, where patrol units are facing increasing threats to U.S Border security.
“Cartels are using drones to penetrate the United States airspace, and they’re dropping off packages of fentanyl. Remember, you don’t need large quantities in order to make a lot of money off of this, and they’re taking that and they’re moving it around. Well, let me just set the tone. Imagine if you’re in a soccer field, and all of a sudden, there’s a drone that flies over with fentanyl and it doesn’t drop it to get picked up and sold somewhere, it just drops it in the stadium."
According to a press release from the Committee on Homeland Security, Chairman Clay Higgins (R-LA) presided over a hearing by the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. This hearing is part of a detailed evaluation by the House Committee on Homeland Security into Secretary Mayorkas' alleged shortcomings in fortifying our borders, reports the release.
They interviewed witnesses from the Biden administration to investigate the part played by Transnational Criminal Organizations in smuggling illicit fentanyl into the United States, predominantly from Mexican cartels.
The release states that during the hearing, witnesses affirmed that Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) are managing to bring in large amounts of unauthorized fentanyl into U.S. past Border Patrol and CBP officers. The cartels have now started using drones to traffic fentanyl and other narcotics, states the release.
These criminals, it says, have been strengthening their operations through the billions they have gained amidst the crisis, and the alleged lack of action from Secretary Mayorkas, putting those in charge of defending the border at a disadvantage.
Rep. Gonzales cited a discussion with a patrol agent down at the border, who said that although he often sees drones flying back and forth over the border, he feels powerless to stop them, according to the release.
Rep. Gonzales insisted that unless Border agents are supplied with the resources they need for these criminals, they will be unable to safeguard the border, states the release.
