EL PASO, Texas– Law enforcement and military leaders pressed for new regulations to combat the escalating threat of illicit drones during a meeting with White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter on January 23, 2026. The high-level discussion was a key part of Director Carter's visit to the Texas-Mexico border, which aimed to emphasize a whole-of-government approach to sealing the border against drug and human trafficking.
The engagement took place at the West Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area facility, where Director Carter met with federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders and prosecutors. Representing the Texas Military Department were Lt. Col. Robert Anspaugh, Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force, along with JCDTF Region West leadership.
During the meeting, Anspaugh, highlighted the urgent need for regulatory changes that would clarify the use of small, unmanned aircraft systems and counter-UAS technologies by law enforcement and the National Guard. A senior law enforcement representative in attendance echoed that that drones are one of the most serious threats the country faces today.
The call for action was echoed from a legal standpoint, as Ryan Ellison, First Assistant United States Attorney, requested the creation of new laws specifically designed to prosecute the use of drones in furthering illicit activities. The consensus among attendees was that the rapid evolution of drone technology requires a swift and decisive response from both a regulatory and legislative perspective to ensure law enforcement can effectively counter criminal enterprises.
The meeting underscored a unified front among border security partners, providing a direct channel for front-line leaders to communicate critical needs to federal policymakers. The consensus was clear: as criminal organizations increasingly leverage modern technology, law enforcement and military agencies require updated legal and regulatory tools to effectively counter them.