FBI Seizes Massive Number of Drones — What They Found Near World Cup Venue Will Shock You

Liberty Check

• FBI has confiscated over 600 drones nationwide during World Cup — 86 in Atlanta alone as federal agents enforce no-fly zones
• Atlanta PD deploys cutting-edge drone surveillance using PlayStation controllers and remote docking stations to protect massive crowds
• Authorities warn hobbyists could weaponize drones, treating every unauthorized aircraft as potential threat to national security event

The FBI and Atlanta Police Department are preparing for one of the largest security operations in recent memory as the World Cup semifinals between England and Argentina approach Atlanta Stadium. Federal agents aren’t taking any chances with unauthorized aircraft in restricted airspace.

Both agencies have deployed advanced drone technology to search for potential threats on the ground and in the sky. The FBI is aggressively enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s Temporary Flight Restrictions around the venue, and the numbers tell a staggering story.

Since the World Cup began, the FBI has confiscated more than 600 drones nationwide. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office Marlo Graham revealed that 86 of those drones were seized in Atlanta.

Graham explained that the FBI uses specialized technology that allows agents to detect unauthorized drones in restricted airspace. Agents then work quickly to mitigate the threat posed by unknown aircraft.

“We’ve been able to safely land drones that have been unauthorized in the flight restricted area,” Graham said.

While the FBI treats every drone as a potential threat, Graham noted the threat level can increase dramatically depending on the size of the drone and how close it gets to the stadium. The closer to the venue, the higher the risk to thousands of American citizens and international visitors.

“Obviously, the closer to the venue, the larger the crowd. We are fortunate here in Atlanta that we have a closed dome stadium,” Graham said.

“We don’t want the game to be impacted because a hobbyist couldn’t control their drone, and it lands right when one of our star players was getting ready to score a goal.”

The Atlanta Police Department’s Drone Unit has played a critical role helping the FBI track down people suspected of flying in restricted zones. Sgt. Kindu Franklin said most of the people caught flying drones around World Cup venues are hobbyists with no intent to harm the crowd of soccer fans below — but that doesn’t eliminate the danger.

“In some cases, they just recently bought a drone just for FIFA to get some of the cool footage that they want to put up on their social media,” Franklin said.

“There are different ways that you can weaponize these drones. So, we’re operating in a proactive manner.”

The Atlanta Police Department’s drone mission focuses on comprehensive surveillance. Officers are looking for potential threats, traffic issues, and people the FBI suspects are flying drones illegally. The department has invested in cutting-edge technology that gives command staff a tactical advantage.

“So, what we want to do is give our command staff a view that they can’t get from the ground,” Sgt. James Cunningham with APD’s Drone Unit said.

Cunningham’s unit can launch drones remotely from handheld controllers. Other drones are launched from docking stations strategically placed across the city, and officers control them from the back of an SUV using a computer and a PlayStation controller — a testament to how modern law enforcement is adapting to new threats.

The drone docks are used year-round to help police get an aerial view of emergency situations before officers arrive. The computer shows the drone pilot where all police body cameras and vehicles are in the area, allowing them to communicate better with officers on the ground.

For the World Cup, the drone docks give the department more eyes in the sky and allow them to respond to emergencies faster — a critical capability when dealing with massive international events that could be targets.

“It’s going to cut down time. We’re going to get there quick. And then you’re going to get an aerial perspective of what you can’t see on the ground,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham revealed the drone unit has completed more than 1,400 flights and logged more than 550 flight hours since the beginning of June alone. Those numbers dwarf what most departments accomplish in years.

“Some people haven’t even done that in years or haven’t even reached those numbers in the life of their drone unit,” Cunningham said.

“We train for the environment. We live here, so we know what to expect,” Anais Paredes, an APD drone pilot, said.

The FBI is urging hobbyist drone pilots to know the Temporary Flight Restrictions in their area before taking off. There is a one-mile restriction around World Cup stadiums on non-match days, and a three-mile restriction on game day. Violators face serious federal consequences.

Our freedoms depend on staying vigilant.