- The United States is ramping up efforts to hunt down fentanyl labs by secretly flying drones over Mexico. U.S. officials told The New York Times that the expanded flights are part of the Trump administration’s enhanced efforts to combat drug cartels.
- U.S. officials told the Times that the effort is part of a secret program by the CIA, which began under former President Joe Biden.
- Under the program, the CIA is reportedly not authorized to use the drones for lethal strikes, instead using them to gather intelligence on drug smuggling operations and passing it along to Mexican officials.
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The United States is escalating efforts to shut down fentanyl labs by flying drones over Mexico. U.S. officials told The New York Times on Tuesday, Feb. 18, that the expanded flights are part of the Trump administration’s enhanced efforts to combat drug cartels. Officials said it’s part of a previously undisclosed covert program by the CIA, which began under former President Joe Biden.
How are the drones being used?
The officials added the CIA is not authorized to use drones for lethal strikes. Instead, it will use them to gather intelligence on drug smuggling operations and pass it along to Mexican officials.
Officials said the drones go “well into sovereign Mexico.” They have proven successful in identifying fentanyl operations by detecting the chemicals released into the air from drug labs, according to U.S. officials.
Under the Biden administration, sources told the Times, the Mexican government was slow to take action against labs identified. However, the Mexican government did use the intelligence to make arrests.
The Times said that the Trump administration doesn’t intend to use drones for strikes on the labs. However, it does want the labs dismantled.
The publication noted that if Mexico doesn’t destroy the labs, the Trump administration will consider alternative moves.
What is the Trump administration saying?
During a visit to the southern border in February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn’t rule out cross-border raids to find cartels. During the trip, he told reporters that, “All options are on the table.”
Are there other efforts ongoing against cartels?
As Straight Arrow News recently reported, there have been rumblings under the Trump administration that the CIA may play a bigger role in cracking down on cartels.
The U.S. military is also playing a role in the fight against drug traffickers. The military has increased surveillance flights along the southern border. It has recently used spy planes to collect data on international criminal organizations.
The head of the U.S. Northern Command told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 13, these flights and other U.S. intelligence operations are meant to give Mexican officials information to aid them in addressing “cartel violence” militarily.
What is Mexico saying?
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the operations and promised coordination without subordination.
