U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security that utilizes drones as part of its Air and Marine Operations (AMO) for border surveillance, detection of illegal crossings, and enforcement along U.S. borders and coastal waters. AMO operates over 260 aircraft, including drones, alongside approximately 300 maritime vessels, employing more than 1,200 federal agents at 70 locations to support CBP's mission in preventing illegal entries and smuggling. In the drone industry, CBP plays a key role as a major government user and operator of unmanned aerial systems for defense and security applications, enhancing tactical border patrol operations through units like BORTAC.