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FBI seizes 76 drones as stadium restrictions intensify
The FBI has seized 76 drones in restricted airspace around Atlanta Stadium during the FIFA World Cup, warning that inexperienced pilots face up to $100,000 in fines and prison time, according to federal officials.
ATLANTA - Federal agents have confiscated dozens of drones flying over restricted downtown spaces as soccer fans pack Atlanta Stadium and FIFA's Fan Festival for the World Cup. The FBI warned that unauthorized flights create severe safety hazards.
Atlanta drone enforcement
What they're saying:
The FBI has seized 76 drones since the start of the FIFA World Cup due to flights breaching restricted airspace near Atlanta Stadium and the fan festival.
Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham stated that flight bans cover a 3-mile radius during match days and a 1-mile radius during festival events.
"We've had several cases in the past that you can see where drones are used in nefarious ways, and so we have to take that threat seriously," Graham said.
Graham said most confiscated aircraft are standard size, and investigators found the overwhelming majority of pilots were inexperienced.
"We've seen some people who literally bought their drone the day prior and put it up the next day and were completely unaware of the flight restrictions that are in place," she said.
Graham said strategically placed teams are monitoring the area because officials fear an aircraft could fall onto the large crowds below.
Pilots who violate the restrictions face potential prison time, drone forfeiture and a fine of up to $100,000.
"We will obviously work with our U.S. Attorney's office to be fair and establish what is going to come forward, whether that means we continue to keep the drones, whether we impose a smaller fine," Graham said.
The backstory:
The temporary flight restrictions were established to safeguard hundreds of thousands of soccer fans visiting the downtown area.
What you can do:
The FBI recommends that drone operators check the FAA website or download a flight safety app to verify temporary restrictions before launching an aircraft.
Visitors can also look for physical warning signage that agents posted across downtown restriction zones.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham, who explained the airspace restrictions and drone seizures in an interview, as well as exclusive FOX 5 video and reporting by Rey Llerena.