The FBI said it has seized more than 600 drones near FIFA World Cup sites since the tournament began on June 11.
The total number of seized drones nationwide has doubled in less than two weeks, the FBI said.
The FBI, along with accredited operators from local and state law enforcement, is monitoring drone activity near World Cup competitions and related fan fest events.
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the airspace, and drone owners are responsible for knowing and abiding by those restrictions; most of the violations have resulted in ticketed citations and seizures.
“Not only is flying drones in TFR zones illegal, it’s dangerous. My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping our skies drone-free,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price. “If you see a drone breaking the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”
In Kansas City, there have been 32 drone seizures outside World Cup events so far.
In a mid-June case in Dallas, a Honduran national was charged by federal authorities for piloting an unregistered drone around Dallas Stadium in violation of federal law while a temporary flight restriction was in place.
Luis Mauricio Flores Ordonez, 33, was charged with owning an unregistered aircraft that was operated by another person and is being detained pending trial.
Details of the case show he allegedly flew his unregistered drone, a DJI Mini 3 PRO, in the flight-restricted airspace around Dallas Stadium while a game was in progress.
The FBI detected the drone, and within seconds a task force officer located and contacted the individual piloting the aircraft.
Three hours before each World Cup match there is a no-fly drone zone. Those restrictions last three hours after the match concludes.