UK experts train base customs officers in drone operations

Seven customs and immigration officers stationed at the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) are currently undergoing specialized training to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The training, conducted by experts from the United Kingdom, aims to modernize the department's surveillance and enforcement capabilities.

Mark Hartley, the head of Customs and Immigration for the British bases, stated that the initiative is designed to combat illegal immigration and smuggling more effectively, with a particular operational focus on the Green Line. The drones will enhance intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and situational awareness, allowing officers to make better-informed decisions when managing security risks and emerging threats.

Beyond border security, the technology is expected to assist with broader departmental duties, including environmental monitoring, site assessments, and fisheries enforcement. Officials emphasized that this integration of modern technology is intended to support, rather than replace, the professional judgment of customs staff, ultimately leading to more efficient public service and faster responses to incidents within the base areas.