CBP Deploys Aerial Surveillance Over Phoenix ICE Activities

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently deployed surveillance aircraft over the Phoenix area as part of operations coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Details about the specific aircraft involved remain sparse, with CBP declining to provide further information. Witnesses report seeing federal agents execute a search warrant in a Peoria neighborhood, using flash bangs and a battering ram to gain entry.

Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that the operation was related to narcotics and human smuggling, resulting in one arrest and the detention of another individual by immigration authorities.

During this operation, an aircraft identified by the callsign “TROY73” was observed circling at an altitude of 9,500 feet. This aircraft later landed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, which serves as the operational hub for “ICE Air.” Another aircraft, a Blackhawk helicopter designated “TROY215,” also arrived at the airport that day.

The exact model of “TROY73” remains unknown as CBP has refrained from divulging specifics. Flight tracking data shows limited details about the aircraft’s activities, primarily landings and take-offs at various Air Force bases in Arizona.

The “TROY” callsign has been linked to numerous CBP aircraft nationwide. In a statement, CBP noted that its Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Tucson Air Branch routinely supports federal law enforcement across Arizona but did not elaborate on the precise nature of their assistance to partner agencies.

Additionally, another aircraft was spotted at a higher altitude the following day, also reported to have recently landed at both Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. CBP did not respond to inquiries about whether this aircraft conducted surveillance on protesters present during the Peoria operation.

AMO’s aircraft routinely participate in ICE operations throughout the country, including in Los Angeles, with reports suggesting the use of MQ-9 Reaper drones for surveillance purposes. The AMO’s Predator Operations Center is located in Tucson.

Various aircraft may have participated in the Peoria operation, including smaller single-engine models like the Cessna 260H/T206H, known for their surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. These aircraft provide longer range and endurance compared to helicopters, making them suitable for diverse law enforcement operations.

Aircraft similar to those used by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Beechcraft King Air and Pilatus PC-12, are also part of AMO’s fleet. The Beechcraft is equipped for aerial patrols and surveillance, while the PC-12 utilizes advanced sensors for tracking and documenting suspect activities.

High-powered surveillance aircraft have flown over Phoenix in the past. Notably, an Arizona National Guard aircraft supported the Phoenix Police Department during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, leading to conclusions that such surveillance impacted protest activities.