MQ-1 Predator Drones Patrol Arizona Border Towns

A military drone assessed as most likely an MQ-1 Predator has been flying repeated circuits over the Arizona border towns of San Luis and Nogales under Operation Ardent Vanguard. NORTHCOM denies domestic surveillance but has not disclosed sensor types, data retention, or ownership. A Fourth Circuit precedent warns persistent wide-area aerial monitoring may constitute an unconstitutional warrantless search.

• MQ-1 Predator drone flies repeated circuits over San Luis and Nogales under Operation Ardent Vanguard
• NORTHCOM denies domestic surveillance but won't disclose sensors or data retention
• The aircraft's registration number is deregistered; an FAA FOIA request returned no records
• Fourth Circuit precedent: persistent wide-area aerial surveillance can be a warrantless search