<p>Border Patrol agents near San Diego successfully tracked a drone as it flew into the country and delivered over 13 pounds of methamphetamines right into the waiting hands of Jorge Edwin Rivera. ;</p>
<p>It was an impressive catch.</p>
<p>&ldquo;At least in our sector, we&rsquo;ve never gotten all three at once &ndash; the drone, the receiver, and the narcotics,&rdquo; says Border Patrol agent Christopher Harris. ;</p>
<p>Mr. Rivera, a US citizen with several past drug-related convictions, admitted he was to be paid $1,000 for delivering the drugs to a person named &ldquo;Primo.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>When it comes to transporting lightweight drugs like meth, heroin, and cocaine, drones are far more efficient than traditional smuggling methods like ;vehicles and underground tunnels. Plus, a drone can be programmed to fly to an exact GPS location. ;</p>
<p>Customs and Border Protection does not have clear ;rules of engagement when it comes to drones and other small aircraft. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Border security experts say drones present a challenge because they can drop drugs almost anywhere with little notice. There&rsquo;s no telling how much drone traffic there actually is across the border,&rdquo; reports <em>The Washington Times. ;</em></p>
<p>According to the Mexican media, drug cartels have started to hire engineers to design custom-made drones.</p>
<p>The drone captured near San Diego was a &ldquo;Matrice 600 Pro,&rdquo; capable of carrying 13 pounds and flying at up to 40 miles per hour. It costs about $5,000. ;</p>
<p>The very first cross-border drug seizure by US law enforcement involving a drone occurred in August of 2015. That drone also entered the country near San Diego. It was carrying 28 pounds of heroin. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Drug traffickers have thought of every conceivable method to move their drugs over, under, and through the border,&rdquo; says US Attorney Laura Duffy. &ldquo;We have found their tunnels, their Cessnas, their Jet Skis, their pangas, and now we have found their drones.&rdquo;  ;</p>