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EOS to resume the UAV flights on border

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection service in Washington announced it will resume unmanned aerial vehicle flights along the Mexican border.

Washington Technology reported Oct. 17 that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection expects to have a Predator B UAV patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border from next month.

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspended its UAV after the April 24 crash of the first Predator B in Arizona. A subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the ground pilot controlling the UAV probably caused the crash.

The use of UAV Predator drones by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on surveillance missions along the border is increasing. From October 2005 to April 24, 2006, Predator B drones used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection flew 959 hours, and contributed to 2,309 arrests.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security, received its second UAV drone in September.

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