The FBI is seeking the publicβs help to identify the operator of a drone launched near Tucson that buzzed a Customs and Border Protection helicopter earlier this year.
The drone appeared to take off from a site about five miles south of the city, then began βflying dangerously closeβ to the federal aircraft, the agency said.
The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. Feb. 9, the FBI said in a May 20 news release. It was not immediately clear why the agency waited three months to make the case public.
After launch, the remote-controlled craft βflew across Tucson and north over Marana,β the agency said. βMultiple law enforcement agenciesβ spent hours that night trying unsuccessfully to track down the droneβs operator.
No one was injured and no other similar incidents have been reported involving this specific drone.
Itβs a federal crime for an unmanned aircraft to interfere with the flight of a manned aircraft. βIt is possible the drone operator(s) are not aware they are violating the lawβ the FBI said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (623) 466-1999 or file a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
