Mexican cartels use stolen vehicles and drones to evade border security

Mexican cartels are increasingly utilizing advanced technology and stolen assets to facilitate smuggling and evade law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities report that cartels are stealing thousands of rental vehicles from the U.S. each year to supply high-end fleets for leaders and to use as rugged transport for illicit goods. Preferred models include heavy-duty pickup trucks, SUVs, and luxury vehicles like BMWs and Cadillacs. In some instances, these vehicles are modified into ‘mutant-tanks’ with ballistic-proof steel plating and gun mounts. California has been identified as a primary target, with rental agencies noting that restrictive state privacy laws regarding GPS tracking allow thieves to move vehicles deep into Mexican territory before they can be located.

In addition to vehicle theft, cartels are deploying commercial and modified drones for surveillance and reconnaissance. U.S. military officials recorded 378 drone incursions along the border in a recent 30-day period. These unmanned aircraft systems are used to monitor the patrol patterns of U.S. security personnel, scout crossing points, and coordinate smuggling and human trafficking operations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has noted the expanding threat of these technologies, which include risks of counter-surveillance and potential kinetic attacks.