Drones guide narco jets to illegal airstrips in Guatemalan rainforest

People keep finding new use cases for drones. Over the last few years, we have seen drone pilots collect whale snot and herd sheep with help from unmanned aircraft. But, did you know that drones are now also used to guide cocaine-laden narco jets to illegal airstrips in a Guatemalan rainforest? Yes, apparently that's a thing now as well.

Drones guide narco jets to illegal airstrips in Guatemalan rainforest

Over the weekend, I came across this article in the Post in which they explain how drones are used to guide cocaine-laden narco jets to illegal airstrips in a Guatemalan rainforest.

The outlet describes how in Laguna Del Tigre National Park in Guatemala illegal airstrips are created and how they've become a critical part of the drug trade.

“The planes arrive in the middle of the night, their lights off, guided by drones, unsteady under the weight of the drugs”, The Washington Post describes. “They descend over Mayan ruins, over camps of jaguar researchers and ornithologists, over illegal settlers and ranchers.:”

The ongoing cat-and-mouse game between the and the drug cartels in Latin America have shifted to this national park along the northern border of Guatemala. The reserve has become a no man's land where temporary airstrips are created to allow the narco jets that can carry over $100 million of cocaine to land. According to the article, ninety percent of the cocaine consumed in the US now travels through Guatemala.

Drones Guide Narco Jets To Illegal Airstrips In Guatemalan Rainforest 1

Drones Guide Narco Jets To Illegal Airstrips In Guatemalan Rainforest 2

Drones apparently play an important role in guiding the narco jets to these illegally created landing strips and in keeping an eye on military activity in the area. A ranger said that about once a week they can hear drones fly over their base in the jungle.

You can read the entire article here [paywall].

Droneu Marketing Banner Ad 1

Stay in touch!

If you'd like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors, and reviews, then follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or…

Subscribe to our Daily Drone News email.*


 

Submit tips If you have information or tips that you would like to share with us, feel free to submit them hereSupport DroneXL.co: You can support DroneXL.co by using these links when you make your next drone purchase: Adorama, Amazon, B&H, BestBuy, eBay, DJI, Parrot, and Yuneec. We make a small commission when you do so at no additional expense to you. Thank you for helping DroneXL grow! FTC: DroneXL.co uses affiliate links that generate income.

* We do not sell, share, rent out or spam your email, ever. Our email goes out on weekdays around 5:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Daniele Volpe for The Washington Post

Follow DroneXL.co on your Google News feed.

Get your Part 107 Certificate

Pass the test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.

pilot institute dronexl

FTC: DroneXL.co uses affiliate links that generate income.* We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email, ever. Our email goes out on weekdays around 5:30 p.m.

Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and EVXL.co, for all news related to electric vehicles. He is also a co-host of the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and other podcast platforms. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

Articles: 2487

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap
%d bloggers like this: