Jordan’s Eastern Military Zone intercepts two balloon narcotics smuggling attempts

• Jordan intercepted two drug-smuggling attempts that used balloons with improvised guidance systems.
• Border Guard units detected the balloons at separate locations and brought them down.
• The narcotics were handed over to law enforcement for legal action.

Jordanian forces said Wednesday that they intercepted two separate attempts to smuggle large quantities of drugs into the country using balloons rigged with basic navigation devices, an unusual method that officials say reflects evolving smuggling tactics along the border.

According to the Eastern Military Zone, the incidents occurred in the early hours of the morning, when surveillance teams detected the balloon systems drifting into Jordanian territory at two different points. Border Guard units, working in coordination with security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, moved swiftly to bring them down.

Authorities said the balloons and their illicit cargo were recovered intact. “The incidents were intercepted and the balloons, along with their cargo, were brought down within Jordanian territory after being detected at two separate locations,” the military reported.

The seized narcotics were transferred to the appropriate authorities to begin legal proceedings.