Enlisting with Forged Identities, Acquiring Drone Technology
Drone Crimes Surge Along the Mexico?US Border
It has been reported that members of Mexican drug cartels are volunteering to fight in the war in Ukraine, acquiring military drone technology and subsequently exploiting it for criminal activities. Although Ukrainian intelligence authorities are working to identify these individuals, the exact number of cartel members who have entered the country using forged identification documents remains unknown. As drone-related crimes spread not only in Mexico but also in border areas with the United States, the US military has formed rapid response teams to actively prepare for such threats.
Members of Mexican Drug Cartels Join Ukrainian Volunteer Forces to Learn Drone Technology
According to Defense News, a US defense-focused media outlet, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a joint investigation with military intelligence agencies on November 16 (local time) to determine whether any drug cartel members are among the foreign volunteers from Mexico and other Central and South American countries. Previously, Mexico’s National Intelligence Center warned the Ukrainian government in July this year that some Mexican cartel members had joined as foreign volunteers. The investigation has since expanded after it was revealed that Colombian cartel members had also joined.
The primary reason drug cartel members are enlisting as volunteers is to learn how to manufacture drones and operate them in combat. In March last year, a Mexican cartel member disguised as a Salvadoran national entered Ukraine posing as a humanitarian volunteer. He completed drone training with the Ukrainian military and returned home, only to be later identified as a cartel member with a background in Mexican special forces.
In addition, three members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest rebel group, were found to have acquired drone technology in Ukraine last year before returning home. They infiltrated the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine (ILDU), which is composed of foreign mercenaries, by posing as Panamanian and Venezuelan nationals, and learned various military drone technologies before leaving the country.
Defense News pointed out, "Ukraine has become a kind of drone training ground for criminal and terrorist organizations worldwide. Many cartel members are infiltrating with forged identification documents," adding, "Criminal organizations are receiving comprehensive training in Ukraine, including the manufacture and tactical deployment of inexpensive drones costing less than $400, electronic warfare countermeasures, and real-time battlefield response, and are exploiting these skills for criminal purposes."
Drone Crimes Surge in Mexican-US Border Areas; US Military Forms Rapid Response Teams
An MQ-9 Reaper drone, a US military operational unmanned aerial vehicle, is preparing for deployment at Rafael Hernandez Airport located in Puerto Rico. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Crimes involving drones are already rampant within Mexico. On October 16 (local time), the prosecutor’s office building in Tijuana, one of Mexico’s largest drug trafficking regions, was attacked by drones. Three explosive drones detonated, damaging six vehicles, and Mexican military and police authorities believe the attack was carried out by one of the local drug cartels operating in the Tijuana area.
According to the Associated Press, crimes involving explosive suicide drones in Mexico have skyrocketed to over 260 cases since 2023. In some regions, there have been incidents where suicide drones were hidden in buildings and used for surprise attacks, a method reportedly employed by Ukrainian infantry units on the battlefield.
Drone-related crimes are also increasing rapidly in border areas between Mexico and the United States. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), there were more than 1,000 cases of illegal drone incursions per month in the US-Mexico border region last year. Drug trafficking organizations are reportedly using drones to smuggle narcotics and to monitor the movements of the US Border Patrol.
In response, the US military has established rapid drone response teams. According to CNN, the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) formed an 11-member rapid drone response team on November 12 and began drone interception training. After conducting pilot interception drills, the plan is to train all continental US defense units to intercept drones along the border with Mexico.
The US military’s drone production is also expected to increase significantly. On November 7, the US Army announced plans to expand its annual drone procurement from about 50,000 units to over 1 million units by 2028. At a press conference, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll stated, "We must transition to a system where drones can be expended like ammunition in future warfare," emphasizing, "Given that Ukraine and Russia have production capacities of over 4 million drones annually, and China over 8 million, the United States must also be able to produce several million drones per year going forward."
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