New Mexico Officials Concerned About Cartel Drones Crossing Border

Law enforcement from New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico meet to address growing threat of drones used for drug and human smuggling

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:07pm

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Law enforcement officials from Chihuahua, Mexico and New Mexico met this week to discuss the increasing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border. The officials expressed concerns that cartels are using drones to smuggle drugs and migrants, as well as to monitor law enforcement. New Mexico is also considering a bill to criminalize the unlawful use of drones, including using them for criminal activity or surveillance.

Why it matters

The growing use of drones by Mexican cartels along the border poses a serious threat to public safety and security on both sides. Drones can be used to bypass border security, transport illicit goods, and monitor law enforcement activities, making it harder to combat cross-border crime and trafficking. This issue requires close collaboration between U.S. and Mexican authorities to develop effective countermeasures.

The details

During the meeting, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Chihuahua Public Safety Secretary Gilberto Loya, and other officials discussed ways to address the cartel drone threat. New Mexico is considering a bill, SB 136, that would criminalize the unlawful use of drones, including directing them towards critical infrastructure or using them to commit crimes. Meanwhile, the Chihuahua state police have reported multiple encounters with cartel drones, particularly in the mountainous western part of the state. The officials emphasized the need for law enforcement on both sides of the border to work together to confront this emerging threat.

  • The meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials took place on Thursday, March 21, 2026.
  • SB 136 was unanimously referred to the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

The players

Sam Bregman

Bernalillo County District Attorney and chairman of the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission.

Gilberto Loya

Chihuahua Public Safety Secretary.

SB 136

A bill in the New Mexico state legislature that would define and criminalize the unlawful use of drone technology.

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What they’re saying

“We want people to be able to use drones. However, the idea that drones can be used to circle law enforcement to do things that are known to be criminal activity, the idea that you are going to use a drone, fly it over the border form Mexico, drop a package or guide traffickers so they not be detected, that's a real problem.”

— Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney

“What we are doing here today is making it possible for Chihuahua and New Mexico to be more safe and secure. To that end, we have started today a structural collaboration to tackle these emerging issues and crimes.”

— Gilberto Loya, Chihuahua Public Safety Secretary

What’s next

The New Mexico state legislature will continue to consider SB 136, which would establish penalties for the unlawful use of drones, including for criminal activity or surveillance. Law enforcement on both sides of the border will also continue to collaborate to address the growing threat of cartel drones.

The takeaway

The increasing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border highlights the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination between U.S. and Mexican authorities to combat cross-border crime and trafficking. Developing effective legal and law enforcement strategies to counter this emerging threat is crucial for improving public safety and security on both sides of the border.