512 U.S. Military Just Crushed Cartel Attack Drones in El Paso

11 Feb 2026Mexican cartel drones crossed into US airspace near El Paso, prompting a temporary flight restriction. The military from Fort Bliss neutralised the threat, and the FAA lifted the restriction by afternoon. The cartels are using modified quadcopters for surveillance, smuggling, and potentially dropping weapons, highlighting the need for robust counter-drone measures.Cartels are increasingly using drones to smuggle drugs and disrupt US airspace. The US military is countering this threat with sophisticated anti-drone technology, including RF jammers, microwave weapons, and kinetic interceptors. This incident highlights the need for tighter integration of military and civilian airspace control to effectively respond to these low-cost threats.