The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that more than 600 drones were seized near stadiums and fan zones during the World Cup, which began on June 11, and violated airspace restrictions, NBC News reports.
Moreover, in less than two weeks, the total number of devices confiscated throughout the country has almost doubled.
The FBI, along with federal, state and local law enforcement officers, conducts round-the-clock surveillance of the airspace surrounding the tournament arenas and mass event zones.
The department reminds that flight restrictions are set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the owners of drones are obliged to verify in advance whether flights are allowed in the given area. In most cases, violators are fined and the drones are confiscated.
Thus, 32 drones have already been seized near the facilities of the World Cup in Kansas City.
In mid-June, federal authorities also charged 33-year-old Honduran citizen Luis Mauricio Flores Ordoñez, who is suspected of flying an unregistered DJI Mini 3 Pro drone during a match outside AT&T Stadium in Dallas. According to the investigation data, the device was located in the zone of temporary prohibition of flights.
According to the FBI, the drone was detected by special means of control, after which the operatives of the operative group found out the location of the operator and arrested him. Currently, Flores Ordoñez remains in custody awaiting trial.
The authorities remind that a temporary no-fly zone is established for drones around the stadiums hosting matches of the World Cup. it starts working three hours before the start of the game and lasts for another three hours after it ends. Violation of these restrictions may result in both administrative and criminal liability.
