Jordanian Armed Forces bring down drug-laden balloons on eastern border

Smugglers used balloons guided by rudimentary devices to transport narcotics into Jordan. (Petra)
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  • Border Guard forces detect, seize items
  • Jordan is known as transit point for drug smuggling in Middle East, criminals using drones alongside conventional methods to smuggle narcotics

LONDON: Security forces in Jordan’s Eastern Military Zone foiled a drug smuggling attempt early on Sunday along the country’s eastern border, as part of efforts to protect national security.

Authorities reported that smugglers used balloons guided by rudimentary devices to transport narcotics into Jordan.

Border Guard forces, in coordination with security agencies, detected and brought down the balloons and seized them. The materials have been turned over to the authorities for legal action, the Jordan News Agency reported.

Jordan is known as a transit point for drug smuggling in the Middle East, with criminals using drones alongside conventional methods to smuggle narcotics into the country from neighboring Syria and Iraq.

The Jordanian Armed Forces intercepted on average 51 drones each month from January to July, nearly two per day, all carrying narcotics destined for Jordanian territory, according to an investigative report by Petra.