U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) isn't using drones in the search for former Los Angeles Police Department officer Christopher Dorner, a spokesman said today.
"Any report concerning CBP and drones is in error," Bill Brooks, branch chief for the CBP southwest border's media division, said in an email. "Reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s unmanned aircraft systems are being used are incorrect. CBP UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) are not flying in support of the search."
Yesterday, the Daily Express, a newspaper in the United Kingdom, reported that CBP confirmed the use of drones to aid in the search for Dorner, who is suspected of killing three people and declaring war on the LAPD.
The paper quoted a "senior police source" as saying that drones may be their only hope in locating Dorner. It suggested that the Riverside Police Department is using drones and said that it was confirmed by CBP public affairs specialist Ralph DeSio.
When asked for clarification, DeSio told Examiner, "I am not aware of assets that the Riverside Police Department are deploying," and echoed what Brooks said.
CBP is aiding in the search, according to Brooks:
"Customs and Border Protection officers and agents from the Office of Field Operations, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Office of Air and Marine are providing assistance in the search as requested from law enforcement authorities. CBP is also exercising additional vigilance in southbound inspections in Southern California. As a result, travelers heading southbound into Mexico may experience delays. Furthermore, we will not discuss methods or assets we might deploy."
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