Many reported drone sightings in New Jersey since mid-November are lawful manned aircraft, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI said Saturday. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas nonetheless acknowledged yesterday some remain unidentified and said the agency is monitoring the situation and deploying additional resources.
The statement comes as the FBI has received over 5,000 tips since November regarding drone sightings in New Jersey and five other East Coast states, including sightings over a military air base. Many of these objects, largely observed at night, are described as larger than typical hobbyist drones, with some reportedly as large as cars. The activity has even temporarily shut down a runway in New York. See video of some sightings here.
The activity has sparked comparisons to last year's Chinese spy balloon sightings, with Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R, NJ-2) suggesting Iran is behind the recent drones. The FBI and US Coast Guard maintain there is no evidence to date of foreign involvement or illegal or malicious activity.
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