The United States military has downed more than 300 drones linked to illicit activity along the US-Mexico border since the beginning of 2026, with more than 100 of the interceptions occurring in August, US Northern Command said Friday, September 4.
The drones were reportedly being used by criminal organisations for activities including surveillance and smuggling, according to US authorities. The statement did not identify any specific cartel as responsible for the aircraft.
US Northern Command, known as USNORTHCOM, said the Joint Task Force-Southern Border has been working with US Customs and Border Protection to counter unauthorised unmanned aircraft operating around the border.
The latest figures show an increase in the military’s use of counter-drone technology as US authorities step up efforts to secure the southern border.
US uses laser technology
The military has also begun deploying a high-energy laser system to deal with suspected cartel-linked drones.
According to US officials, 11 drones assessed to be associated with illicit activity were brought down using the Army Multipurpose High-Energy Laser system since the technology was deployed in border operations last week.
The laser system was first used in a border protection operation on August 24. Earlier, the US military confirmed that three suspected cartel drones had been neutralised near the southern border using the technology.
Officials have not disclosed whether the drone interceptions occurred on the US or Mexican side of the border. That distinction is significant because Mexico has repeatedly stressed its sovereignty and opposition to unilateral US military action on Mexican territory.
Growing use of drones by criminal groups
US officials say criminal organisations increasingly use unmanned aircraft for surveillance and other illicit activities along the border.
The development comes amid broader concerns over the use of increasingly sophisticated technology by Mexican criminal groups. Reuters has reported that cartels have also expanded their use of explosives and drone-delivered devices in Mexico.
US authorities have not said that all of the more than 300 drones were destroyed using lasers. USNORTHCOM said the figure includes drones neutralised through both kinetic and non-kinetic systems.
The US military’s expanded counter-drone operations are part of wider efforts to address threats associated with cross-border criminal activity while supporting federal border-security agencies.
The report of 300 cartel drones being downed highlights the growing role of unmanned aircraft in the security challenges facing the US-Mexico border.
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