In May, at least three videos circulated that were allegedly recorded by drones operated by members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
It happened in Tierra Caliente, Michoacán. They showed how they threw homemade explosives with the help of drones against makeshift camps in Tepalcatepec.
In July 2021, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) identified a group that was selling drones with bombs to the CJNG and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. The group had made trips to Jalisco to sell and deliver these devices, a source told the FGR.
But it’s not only the cartels that are equipped. In October 2019, Pablo Lemus, then Mayor of Zapopan, said that they had detected at least eight home and business robberies in which the thieves had used drones prior to the thefts. The intention, Lemus said, was to detect vulnerabilities on the properties.
With the proper guidelines and objectives, the use of drones by police stations would be key in security strategies.
Ramón Becerra Reynoso, a specialist in technology and cybersecurity law, said that, although crime is one step ahead, government agencies will, in time, use drones.
He ssaid, “We must go one step forward. I am of the idea that it is better to have an overvalued device or system so as not to be below what is required when we really need it.
“Organized crime usually goes one step forward. Let’s hope that in this case it will not be that way, and if it is that way, then immediately have an item (in the budgets) to continue investing in security through these drones, because there are many more advantages than disadvantages.”
In 2016, the Guadalajara Police Station was the first to announce the acquisition of drones in Jalisco, although there have been few results.
A year after taking office, the mayors of Guadalajara and Zapopanthe have not yet put into circulation the drone squadrons promised in the campaigns.
In February 2016, the Guadalajara Police Station purchased three drones. In three years, they helped to recover 19 vehicles. They expect to make new drone acquisitions by 2023.
The Zapopan Police Station acquired six professional-type drones, although the officers are still undergoing training and drawing up guidelines to operate them.