This footage shows criminals using drones to spy on law enforcement officials who are fighting illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the country.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said that drones are increasingly being used on the border with Mexico to monitor the activities of law enforcement.

The video that was shot in the Rio Grand Valley shows the drone gathering information that was then relayed to the criminals smuggling people and drugs across the border.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash from the US Customs and Border Protection, they confirm that smuggling was on the rise in the Rio Grande Valley Sector.

Kingsville Border Patrol Station (KIN) agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Immigration Checkpoint apprehended four migrants from a tractor-trailer on 31st December.

Agents referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area following a K-9 alert and discovered the migrants in the trailer concealed between pallets of produce.

The driver, and migrants who were unlawfully present in the US, were placed under arrest.

Later that evening, Falfurrias Border Patrol Station (FLF) agents at the Falfurrias Immigration Checkpoint arrested a US citizen driving a Ford Explorer and three passengers, who were unlawfully present in the US.

Agents reportedly found a gram of methamphetamine on the driver who was then turned over to Brooks County Sheriff’s Office to face state charges.

Harlingen Border Patrol Station discovered four migrants stuck on a pillar underneath the Los Indios, Texas, Port of Entry bridge, on 1st January.

The Harlingen Fire Department assisted in safely lowering the subjects from the pillar.

McAllen Border Patrol Station agents, responding to illicit activity in Los Ebanos, observed two vehicles departing a known human smuggling location, on 2nd January.

The two vehicles failed to yield after agents attempted to conduct vehicle stops.

Additional agents, a CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter, and Sullivan City Police Department responded to assist the vehicle pursuits until the occupants of both vehicles bailed out near Sullivan City.

Agents reportedly apprehended 19 migrants unlawfully present in the US. The drivers were not located.

Later that night, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers advised FLF agents they observed a Dodge Durango load up suspected migrants and were engaged in a vehicle pursuit.

Agents responded and assisted with the pursuit.

The vehicle drove through three ranch fences before coming to a stop, when two occupants bailed out. They were not located.

Also on 2nd January, KIN agents conducted a vehicle stop on a vehicle after it made a U-turn just before arriving at the Javier Vega Jr. Immigration Checkpoint.

Agents determined the driver and three passengers were unlawfully present in the US and were placed under arrest.

Agents reportedly seized a loaded 7.62 semi-automatic rifle in the vehicle. The driver was turned over to Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office.

RGV Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said: “I am very proud of the tremendous work performed by our Border Patrol Agents in the Rio Grande Valley in 2022. I’m elated to see that our Agents kicked off 2023 with the same dedication and vigour as they always have! RGV agents work around the clock to target illicit activity in our border region every day increasing safety in our communities.”