Crashed drone with 6 pounds of meth found in border town

TIJUANA, Mexico, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Authorities in a Mexican border town said a crashed drone in a parking lot was carrying more than 6 pounds of meth apparently destined for the United States.

The Tijuana Public Safety Secretariat said the small aircraft, a six-propeller Spreading Wings S900 model, was found crashed about 10 p.m. Tuesday in the Pueblo Amigo parking lot in Tijuana's Zona Rio district, near the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Investigators said the drone may have crashed because the more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine on board may have been more weight than the device could handle.

Brian Yates of Drones Made Easy in San Diego said the Spreading Wings S900 model has a maximum weight of 18 pounds, which includes the craft itself and its battery.

Authorities said there have been previous reports of drones being used to smuggle drugs over the border, with the devices being labeled "blind mules" by smugglers.

Tijuana police are investigating the origin of the drugs, which were separated into six packages and affixed to the drone using plastic webbing and strips of black tape.