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FBI seizes 21 drones, arrests Mexican national during World Cup fan event
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Crime & Justice

FBI seizes 21 drones, arrests Mexican national during World Cup fan event

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Authorities arrested a Mexican national, Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, for illegally flying a drone in Atlanta during the World Cup fan festival.
  • The park was a designated official site for fan celebrations, and drone operation was prohibited in the airspace.
  • Rojas-Martinez, an undocumented immigrant with a prior cocaine trafficking record, faces charges for illegal drone operation and re-entry into the U.S.

Amidst the excitement of the World Cup, authorities apprehended an undocumented immigrant for illegally operating a drone at a fan festival location in Atlanta. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed the arrest of Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, a Mexican national, on Monday.

Rojas-Martinez was detained after being observed flying a drone within the restricted airspace of Centennial Olympic Park. This park is an official venue for fan celebrations during the prestigious tournament. The incident occurred as Atlanta prepared to host its first match of the tournament, which saw a surprising draw between favored Spain and Cape Verde.

According to an official statement, Rojas-Martinez faces charges for operating a drone illegally and for re-entering the United States after having been previously deported twice. A criminal complaint filed stated that the suspect was seen operating the drone within a no-fly zone near Centennial Olympic Park, reportedly recording the event from a nearby parking lot.

An examination of his documents revealed that Rojas-Martinez was in the U.S. illegally. His past criminal record includes charges related to cocaine trafficking. The FBI's operation aimed to crack down on the illicit use of drones during the event.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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