.png)
Smuggling through airlines dates back to the invention of aircraft. However, cases of aerial drug smuggling have skyrocketed since the release of a cheap and easy-to-fly drone by DJI, a Chinese firm, in 2013. Drug traffickers started smuggling narcotics through the borders and around prison yards, but many authorities were unbothered since these devices were small and couldn’t carry a considerable payload.
How Drug Traffickers Use Drones to Smuggle Drugs
The introduction of consumer drones and the reluctance to regulate them have led to widespread drug trafficking in California. As of 2014, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration realized that several cocaine-laden drones were crossing the U.S. border from Mexico. The report pointed out that the traffickers had begun creating custom drones to ferry more drugs.
In 2017, the police arrested a man trying to smuggle some drugs from Mexico to California. The suspect had smuggled the drugs at least five times in the previous months.
Despite the efforts by the former president to create a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce drug smuggling, the use of sophisticated strategies like non-detectable drones has enabled smugglers to enhance their drug trafficking activities.
What Type of Equipment is Used for Drug Trafficking?
Although ordinary drones can’t transport a significant amount of drugs, modern drug traffickers have developed customized drones for drug smuggling. The current drones can ferry up to 10 kilograms of cocaine and move up to 62 miles in one trip. Since the distance from Mexico to the U.S. is short, these drones can move faster without the risk of malfunction or detection.
Most drug traffickers in Mexico have become so vested in the use of drones that they are now hiring home-based companies to produce faster and more reliable devices. The new drones can transport between 132lbs and 220lbs (60-100Kgs) of drugs in one trip.
The engineers have continued to develop more efficient devices in terms of the distance they can cover and the weight they can transport. Besides, there are efforts to build drones that deter detection.
Possible Charges for Using Drones to Smuggle Drugs in California
The charges for smuggling cases may differ depending on the circumstances and the weight of the drugs in possession. For instance, two people were recently caught while using a drone to smuggle drugs into a prison in Southern California. Some drugs in their possession included methamphetamine, heroin, muscle relaxers, and Xanax.
One of the suspects was a female inmate charged for using a phone from the jailhouse to direct the other suspect to land the drone. Both faced charges of conspiracy and smuggling drugs into a correctional facility.
The federal law makes it unlawful for anyone to use or attempt to operate an unregistered aircraft deliberately. The jury should impose at least a five-year sentence if the offense is related to drug trafficking.
Need Assistance with a Drug Trafficking Case in California? We Can Help
If you have been accused of drug trafficking in California, it is crucial to have a San Diego drug trafficking attorney to hold your hand. At the Law Office of Elliott Kanter, we have a team of attorneys to represent you in court to ensure you get justice and your rights are fully protected. Contact us online or call us at (619) 639-9735 to schedule a free consultation with our legal professionals.
