Mysterious Drones Over New Jersey Worry FBI, Residents
Mysterious Drones Over New Jersey Leave FBI in the Dark, Sparking Congressional Concern
FBI Assistant Director Admits Lack of Answers, Frustrating Lawmakers
A wave of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey has left the FBI with more questions than answers, sparking concern among lawmakers and residents alike.
During a joint hearing of two Homeland Security subcommittees on unmanned aerial systems, FBI Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group Robert Wheeler admitted the agency knows “concerningly little” about the drones.
“There is nothing that is known that would lead me too say [Americans are at risk], but we just don’t know. And that’s the concerning part,” Wheeler told Congress.
Dozens of drones have been spotted in recent weeks, some hovering near sensitive sites like a military research facility. The sightings have prompted a flurry of reports, with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stating there were 49 drone sightings on Sunday alone, primarily concentrated in Hunterdon County.
The FBI has launched an inquiry and appealed to the public for information, but so far, no individual or group has been identified as responsible.
“We do not attribute that to an individual or a group yet. We’re investigating, but I don’t have an answer of who’s responsible for that, of one or more people that are responsible for those drone flights,” Wheeler said.
The lack of information has fueled frustration among lawmakers.
“That’s crazy, that’s madness that we don’t know what these drones are,” said Rep. Anthony Gonzales, R-Texas.Gonzales questioned the FBI’s allocation of resources to counter-drone efforts, noting that many Americans are frustrated by the lack of progress. Wheeler revealed that only about $500,000 of the FBI budget is dedicated to counter-drone technology and deployment.
“No wonder we don’t know what the hell’s going on!” Gonzales exclaimed.
The hearing also shed light on the growing threat of drones along U.S. borders. Keith Jones,head of Air and Marine Operations for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP),testified that during a recent six-week period,CBP sensors detected 6,900 drone flights near U.S.borders. Some of these drones were carrying drugs, and their presence posed a potential threat to CBP officers.
Alarmingly, Jones revealed that CBP lacks the funding to effectively counter these drone incursions, stating that no money has been allocated for counter-drone procedures.
New Jersey Drone Mystery Deepens: FBI Admits to “Concerning” Lack of Answers
Washington D.C. – A swarm of unidentified drones hovering over New Jersey has left federal investigators stumped, sparking unease among lawmakers and citizens. During a joint hearing of two Homeland Security subcommittees on unmanned aerial systems, FBI Assistant Director Robert Wheeler admitted the agency was struggling to identify those responsible, expressing concern over the lack of information.
“There is nothing that is known that would lead me to say [Americans are at risk], but we just don’t know. And that’s the concerning part,” Wheeler confessed to Congress.
The sightings, primarily concentrated in Hunterdon County, have been increasing in frequency, with Governor Phil Murphy reporting 49 drone sightings on Sunday alone. Some drones have been spotted near sensitive sites, including a military research facility, raising further alarms.
Despite launching an inquiry and appealing to the public for information, the FBI remains in the dark about the drones’ origins and purpose. “We do not attribute that to an individual or a group yet. We’re investigating, but I don’t have an answer of who’s responsible for that, of one or more people that are responsible for those drone flights,” Wheeler stated.
The lack of clarity has frustrated lawmakers, particularly after Wheeler revealed that only a paltry $500,000 of the FBI’s budget is dedicated to counter-drone technology.
“that’s crazy, that’s madness that we don’t know what these drones are,” exclaimed Rep. Anthony Gonzales (R-Texas). “No wonder we don’t know what the hell’s going on!”
The hearing also highlighted the growing threat posed by drones along U.S.borders. Keith Jones, head of Air and Marine Operations for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), testified that sensors detected 6,900 drone flights near U.S. borders in a recent six-week period. Some of these drones were used for smuggling drugs, posing a potential risk to CBP officers.
Alarmingly, CBP lacks the funding to counter these drone incursions effectively, with no funds allocated for counter-drone procedures, according to Jones.