The CIA is deploying unmanned drones over Mexico to search for fentanyl labs run by drug cartels after the Trump administration declared cartels are terrorist organizations.

The CIA under President Donald Trump has been covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels, current and former officials familiar with the matter told CNN, part of Trump’s dramatic reorientation of national security assets to the US southern border.

The CIA is developing plans to fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign pledges to get tough on Mexico’s drug cartels, but critics warn of a backlash.

The Mexican Senate has approved the deployment of U.S. Army Green Berets into the country to target drug cartels in a move to appease President Trump, who has moved swiftly to shut down the border and crack down on drug smuggling.

The CIA has sent drones on secret missions over Mexico to spy on drug cartels — and may use them for armed strikes, according to former and current officials. The covert missions, carried out with MQ-9 Reaper drones,

The United States has stepped up secret drone flights over Mexico to hunt for fentanyl labs, part of the Trump administration’s more aggressive campaign against drug cartels, according to U.S. officials.

To combat drug cartels, the CIA is ramping up secret drone flights over Mexico, The New York Times reported Tuesday. This “covert” drone program began under the Biden administration and has not previously been disclosed,