Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mexican Drone Crashes In El Paso Backyard

The crash in El Paso's Lower Valley neighborhood occurred shortly before 6:28 p.m. Tuesday, when the El Paso (Texas) Police Department was notified about it. "We were told it was not a police matter," Det. Mike Baranyay told the news outlet.

December 18, 2010
Mexican Drone Crashes In El Paso Backyard

An unmanned aircraft similar to this one operated by the Mexican government crashed into a residential area of El Paso. Photo via Aeronautics Defense System.

1 min to read


The Department of Homeland Security is leading the investigation of the crash of a Mexican drone aircraft in the backyard of a residential neighborhood in El Paso, reports the El Paso Times.

The crash in El Paso's Lower Valley neighborhood occurred shortly before 6:28 p.m. Tuesday, when the El Paso (Texas) Police Department was notified about it. "We were told it was not a police matter," Det. Mike Baranyay told the news outlet.

Ad Loading...

The recovered aircraft is an Orbiter UAV produced by Aeronautics Defense System and is a designed for use in military and homeland security missions, according to the company's website.

The Orbiter UAV can be deployed for "over-the-hill reconnaissance missions, low-intensity conflicts and urban warfare operations as well as any close-range ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) mission."

The crash is believed to be the first on record of a Mexican-operated drone on U.S. territory. The craft was secured by the U.S. Border Patrol and immediately returned to the Mexican government.

Earlier this summer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ramped up its use of UAVs along the Texas-Mexico border to assist enforcement missions of drug and human smuggling enforcement. The agency has already been using the UAVs in Arizona.

Read the full story at ElPasoTimes.com.

More Technology

Screenshot image of gun detection software showing images of firearm detections.
TechnologyJanuary 21, 2026

ZeroEyes Marks Successful 2025 Highlighted by Rapid Growth, Expanded Partnerships, 1,000+ Confirmed Real World Firearm Detections

AI gun detection company ZeroEyes has doubled its partner channel and expanded its operations center to meet growing demand, plus has surpassed 1,000 verified alerts of confirmed gun detections.

Read More →
Closeup photo of man's hand using a thumg to push a push to talk button with phone on table.
TechnologyJanuary 21, 2026

Pryme Partners with Tango Tango to Deliver Hands-Free Push-to-Talk Communication for Public Safety & Security

Pryme, a manufacturer of top-grade communication accessories for two-way radios and PoC applications, has partnered with Tango Tango, a mobile application that connects smartphones to existing two-way radio systems.

Read More →
Blue tinted background of a police dispatcher with headline Flock Safety + Coreforce Integation
TechnologyJanuary 7, 2026

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement

A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring DroneSense by Versaterm
Technologyby Wayne ParhamDecember 18, 2025

From the Show Floor: DroneSense by Versaterm

Learn about DroneSense by Versaterm as POLICE talks with Ryan Bracken, head of product. He explains the rapid advancements in drone technology, capabilities, and software.

Read More →
thumbnail for video series POLCIE From the Show Floor, white headline for Versaterm, all set against a black background with police light bar.
Technologyby Wayne ParhamDecember 10, 2025

From the Show Floor: Versaterm

Learn more about Versaterm as POLICE visits with Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, chief product officer, to explore the company’s focus on a purpose-built platform for public safety.

Read More →
Thumbnail for POLICE video From the Show Floor: Motorola Solutions
Technologyby Wayne ParhamDecember 4, 2025

From the Show Floor: Motorola Solutions

In this video, learn about the Motorola Solutions ecosystem and how it provides tools that enhance the efficiency and safety of police officers. You’ll hear about the APX NEXT radio and SVX system, Assisted Narrative, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredNovember 3, 2025

Learning How to Manage Your Fleet?

Watch this tutorial on how fleet management platforms work. You’ll see how easily you can integrate fleet telematics, dash cameras, and asset management in a single pane of glass and manage your fleet more effectively.

Read More →
thumbnail from video series From the Show Floor, headline features Semtech.
Technologyby Wayne ParhamOctober 31, 2025

From the Show Floor: Semtech

Learn about the latest ruggedized routers designed for public safety vehicles as POLICE visits with Greg Hill of Semtech. These routers are equipped with the latest 5G technology.

Read More →
Photo of three computer screens displaying software soluitions in a trade show booth.
TechnologyOctober 26, 2025

Genetec Showcases Its Latest Public Safety Innovations at IACP 2025

Genetec demonstrated its Cloudrunner, Citigraf, and Clearance during IACP 2025 to show how they can provide law enforcement with a unified situational awareness to make cities safer.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Analysts reviewing geospatial data on multiple computer screens in a monitoring center
PatrolOctober 14, 2025

Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight

Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.

Read More →