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Calls for answers are mounting as a mysterious wave of drone sightings has unsettled communities across the northeastern United States. Since at least November 18, what appear to be drones have been spotted in the skies of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and other states. The lack of clarity regarding who is operating the drones and why has fueled speculation and concern among both authorities and the public.
Arrests and Incidents Near Airports
The situation escalated over the weekend when two men were arrested in Boston for operating a drone dangerously close to Logan International Airport. Boston police reported that Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater, were taken into custody on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands, on charges of trespassing. The incident has heightened fears over the risks posed to air travel, given the potential hazards drones pose to aircraft.
In a separate incident, a drone was recovered on the grounds of Nantucket Memorial Airport earlier this week. According to a spokesperson, the device was discovered on an area of pavement reserved for aircraft operations and immediately reported to the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration. Officials described it as a “small multirotor drone,” the type that can be easily purchased online and often weighs less than 0.55 pounds. While the drone did not disrupt flights, authorities emphasized that operators must avoid flying near airports without airspace authorization.
Growing Safety Concerns
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued warnings following multiple reports from pilots of lasers being pointed at planes in airspace spanning New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. These developments have increased concerns about both safety and potential security risks posed by unidentified aerial vehicles.
The Defense Department has addressed the situation, clarifying that the drones are not military-owned and dismissing claims of foreign involvement, such as Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s (R-N.J.) suggestion that the drones originated from an Iranian “mothership” off the East Coast.
The Radioactive Shipment Mystery
Adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding story, a shipment of radioactive material in New Jersey has gone missing. The consignment, shipped from the Nazha Cancer Center in Newfield, contained Germanium-68 (Ge-68), a material used for calibrating medical scanners. It was reported as arriving at its destination “damaged and empty,” prompting an immediate investigation. While the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) has classified the material as “Less Than Category 3” in terms of risk, the missing shipment has stoked theories connecting the drones to searches for or monitoring of the radioactive device. However, no official evidence currently links the two incidents.
Authorities Respond to Public Pressure
Amid growing anxiety, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, FAA, and Defense Department released a joint statement on Monday to address the mystery. “Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as piloted fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.” The agencies reassured the public that no evidence suggests a threat to national security or public safety.
Despite these reassurances, authorities acknowledged the public’s concerns and called for stronger legislation. “We urge Congress to enact counter-UAS legislation when it reconvenes that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge,” the agencies stated.
The Department of Defense added that unauthorized drone activity near military installations is not new but remains a serious concern. Coordination with law enforcement continues to address such incidents.
For many, the current drone phenomenon echoes the 2018 disruption at London’s Gatwick Airport, where repeated drone sightings grounded flights for 36 hours, impacting over 120,000 travelers. Despite extensive investigations and the use of advanced radar systems to detect drone activity, authorities never identified the operators or established a clear motive.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The mysterious drone activity has also drawn attention from political figures, including former President Donald Trump. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump questioned the government’s response: “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so.” Trump went on to call for action, adding, “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT.”
While authorities maintain there is no imminent risk, the combination of unexplained drone sightings, incidents near airports, and a missing radioactive shipment has left many unsettled. Investigations remain ongoing and calls for increased transparency and stricter drone regulations continue to grow.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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