(NewsNation) — Authorities are warning that U.S. airspace along the southern border is being breached by drones used by cartels fighting each other.
A top general told the Senate while under oath that more than 1,000 drone incursions happen each month, though he admitted that he did not know the exact number nor did anyone else.
Some of the drones are loaded with explosives. A memo circulating among border agents warned of unmanned aircraft dropping explosives on the southern side of the border. While the activity is in Mexico, not the U.S., they say it’s getting dangerously close to U.S. soil.
One drone was spotted carrying 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Individuals claimed they witnessed drones dropping explosives near their location, which prompted them to run to the U.S.
The violence stems from fighting involving the Sinaloa Cartel, with members of the group reportedly getting into armed altercations with the Mexican Federales before coming to the U.S. border to surrender to Border Patrol agents.
Lawmakers are sounding the alarm on the issue. Sen. Jodi Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced the Countering Drone Incursions Act, which seeks to give the Department of Defense more authority to protect airspace. She criticized Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, saying the border is under her supervision.
“Murderous drug cartels are controlling the southern border and using drones for turf war attacks within miles of the United States,” Ernst said. “These thugs must be held accountable. That’s why I’m equipping the Pentagon to respond to those incursions by any means necessary.”
The use of drones isn’t new, but the use of explosions is causing some concern even though it has been contained to the Mexcian side of the border. Sources say the fighting has still gotten dangerously close to farms in the Sells area of Pima County, Arizona. Authorities identified it as a place where violence could spill over.
The fighting is happening between members of Los Salazar, a cell of the Sinaloa cartel, and members of rival, independent cartel Los Pelones. While agents have been seeing drones for some time, this has caused heightened levels of concern among those along the border.