Texas lawmakers consider new powers and funding to counter cartel drone threats

A Texas Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Border Security held a hearing to examine how state law and resources can better address the growing use of drones by Mexican cartels. Officials reported over 10,000 drone incursions in early 2023, with El Paso police tracking 1,776 cross-border flights that carry digital license plates, and estimating total activity near 14,000 when including untracked drones. Cartel drones vary from $500 hobbyist units to $60,000 six-prop models that can transport up to 200 kilograms of contraband.

Police leaders called for expanded local jurisdiction, dedicated training, and financial support for counter-drone programs, referencing the federal SAFER SKIES Act, which has certified only 61 officers nationwide. Expert testimony warned that drones could evolve into weapons targeting law-enforcement and critical infrastructure, drawing parallels to their use in the Russia-Ukraine war. The discussion underscores the urgency of building defensive capabilities before the threat escalates further.