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Claim Text
In July, Steven Willoughby, director of the counter-drone program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, testified to Congress that U.S. officials had detected 60,000 drone flights within 500 meters, or about a third of a mile, of the U.S.-Mexico border — or 326 a day — in the second half of 2024.
Simplified Text
Steven Willoughby testified U.S. officials detected 60000 drone flights within 500 meters of the U.S.-Mexico border in the second half of 2024
Confidence Score
0.950
Claim Maker
Steven Willoughby
Context Type
News Article
Context Details
{
    "person": "Steven Willoughby",
    "location": "U.S.-Mexico border",
    "statistic": "60,000 drone flights",
    "time_period": "second half of 2024",
    "organization": "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
}
Subject Tags
Security Border Statistical
UUID
a1163dd9-9dc7-4ccd-b80c-8abbaa9bb811
Vector Index
✗ No vector
Created
February 15, 2026 at 3:23 PM (6 months ago)
Last Updated
February 15, 2026 at 3:23 PM (6 months ago)

Original Sources for this Claim (2)

All source submissions that originally contained this claim.

Screenshot of https://nytimes.com/2026/02/12/world/americas/mexico-drone-border-cartels.html
Do Drug Cartels Actually Use Drones at the Border?
Completed Analysis
11 claims 🔥
1 week ago
https://nytimes.com/2026/02/12/world/americas/mexico-drone-border-cartels.html

The article examines the extent to which Mexican cartels use drones to smuggle drugs and surveil the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. and Mexican officials offer differing views on the threat, with analysts suggesting the truth lies in between. The article cites examples of drone use and analyzes the perspectives of various stakeholders.

Drug Cartels Drones Border Security Mexico United States Smuggling Law Enforcement
Screenshot of https://nytimes.com/2026/02/11/us/trump-administration-el-paso-airspace-closure-questions.html
Military’s Use of Anti-Drone Technology Said to Cause El Paso Airspace Closure
Completed News
24 claims 🔥
1 week ago
https://nytimes.com/2026/02/11/us/trump-administration-el-paso-airspace-closure-questions.html

The FAA closed El Paso's airspace after the Defense Department tested anti-drone technology without proper assessment of risks to commercial airlines. Officials dispute the Trump administration's claim that a drone incursion necessitated the closure. The closure was unusually long, raising questions about the administration's actions.

Aviation Drones Military Trump Administration El Paso Federal Aviation Administration National Security

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