US says shot down over 300 cartel drones linked to 'drug trade'

Mexico City: The United States announced it has shot down more than 300 cartel-operated drones along the Mexican border, with roughly 100 intercepted in August alone.

The US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) -- which covers the United States and neighboring countries -- linked the drones to the drug trade, without naming any specific group.

The US military said the devices were used by "transnational criminal organizations... to support illegal cross-border activity, including smuggling operations and surveillance of law-enforcement and military personnel."

Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla claimed they were chiefly used by migrant smugglers, to detect places along the border "where there is no authority present."