CBP Deploys Predator Drones, Black Hawks to Surveil Downtown LA

At least two MQ-9 Reaper, or Predator B, drones circled downtown Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday without call signs.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

U.S. Customs and Border Protection began flying the MQ-9 Reaper, or Predator B, in 2005 and uses it primarily to survey the southern border. [Courtesy: General Atomics]

Key Takeaways:

Federal authorities, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones for aerial surveillance over Los Angeles during Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and subsequent protests.
CBP confirmed the drone deployment, stating it was for "officer safety surveillance" and support for federal law enforcement partners, denying surveillance of First Amendment activities or the use of facial recognition software.
The drone activity, including their "hexagonal surveillance orbits" and "TROY" call signs, was uncovered through flight data and air traffic control audio by a social media user and first reported by 404 Media.
While CBP primarily uses these drones for border surveillance, investigations show they are regularly flown over U.S. cities, indicating potential for more widespread deployments amidst ongoing ICE operations and protests nationwide.

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Federal authorities are turning to aerial surveillance to keep an eye on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and subsequent protests in Los Angeles.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed at least two MQ-9 Reaper drones—also known as the Predator B—to downtown LA on Sunday and Monday, according to flight data and air traffic control (ATC) audio uncovered by social media user Aeroscout and first reported by 404 Media on Tuesday.