Complementing the list of possible drone uses is drug smuggling. Earlier this month, a drone carrying six packages of methamphetamine crashed in a shopping mall’s parking lot on the Tijuana side of the U.S. and Mexico border, stated Mexican police.
Image tweeted by Secretaria de Seguridad Publica Tijuana
The UAV — identified from the wreckage as a six-propeller $1400 Spreading Wings 900 model — was discovered when an anonymous caller tipped off police at 9:50 pm local time on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) states that advancing technology has only made the drug cartels bolder, estimating that more than 150 drones have been used to transport cocaine and other drugs since 2012. Even with a smaller payload, the technique is safer and more cost effective than digging an underground tunnel networks beneath the border, a common technique formally used by cartels. Some tunnels have discovered containing sophisticated air vents, lighting, and even an electric rail system.
Image tweeted by Secretaria de Seguridad Publica Tijuana
According the DJI’s website, the producer of the Spreading Wings 900, the drone is able to flight fly for up to 18 minutes at time with a maximum payload of 6.8 kg (15 lbs). Given the six pound meth packaged weighed significantly less than the drone’s max capacity, it can be assumed that the pilot had no idea what he was doing, or stepped outside the remote control’s maximum range.
This isn’t first drone-led smuggling attempt, and certainly not the last, but at least the bad guys lost approximately $6,800 worth of meth as well as $1400 drone.
Source: NBC
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