politics
U.S. military uses laser to shoot down 3 cartel drones at southern border, Pentagon says
August 28, 2026 / 12:08 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- U.S. military used a laser system to shoot down three drones at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- The drones were believed to be operated by drug cartels.
- The drones were classified as hostile because they supported activities posing a physical threat to U.S. personnel and Customs and Border Protection.
- Cartel networks are increasingly using drones for human smuggling and surveillance.
- This incident is part of ongoing counter-cartel and counter-drone operations.