Agents with the Office of Air and Marine (OAM) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and interagency partners disrupted two separate drug smuggling attempts off the coast of El Salvador, resulting in the disruption of more than $178 million in contraband. Both events were part of Operation Martillo.
Category Archives: Law Enforcement
Irish Police Considers UAS
The Garda is considering the use of robotic drones that could be deployed on covert surveillance flights or to overtly aid other police work. The Irish Times understands the purchase of a number of drones is “under consideration” at Garda headquarters. Continue reading
Israeli Police Lease Tactical Aerostats
Israeli firm RT LTA has announced that it has been awarded a two year lease contract to provide Skystar 180 aerostats by the hour with crew to assist Israeli police. Continue reading
Greek Police Orders More BlueBird UAS
The Greek police force has purchased an additional number of unmanned air systems made by Israeli company BlueBird. Continue reading
Drones Cause Dramatic Fall in Rhino Poaching
Rhinoceros populations have a new ally, as deployments of drones in South Africa have proven to cause a drastic reduction in poaching, according to a new report.
Tanzania to Deploy French UAS in Anti-poaching War
The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) says it is looking to deploy the French-made Delair Tech DT-18 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to carry out surveillance operations over key national reserves to protect critically endangered elephant and rhinos from poachers. Continue reading
Ohio Prison to Test Surveillance Aerostat and UAS
The Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections last week launched a $170,000 aerostat to monitor security at the Lebanon and Warren Correctional Institutions. The aerostat will have the capability to capture video of the prisons’ grounds during the day and night as well as use infrared sensors to detect unwelcome visitors staked near the facility’s fences.
City of Cape Town to Test UAS
Last week, JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, said in a meeting with the police that the City aims to test drones within the next two months. He said that different departments within the City – Metro Police, Disaster Management, Fire and Rescue and Engineering departments – have had to spend money on hiring helicopters for aerial surveillance. The acquisition of a drone (for around R600 000) could be more cost-effective. Continue reading