Drone crackdown: More than 500 seized since start of World Cup

A wider crackdown on unauthorized drone flights during the FIFA World Cup has led to the seizure of more than 500 drones by the FBI since the tournament began. The article cites seizures across multiple U.S. cities, including 98 in Miami, 63 in Dallas, and 77 in Atlanta, along with totals in Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Houston, and Seattle. One case highlighted involves 26-year-old John Alexander Meza of La Porte, Texas, accused of flying a DJI Mavic 3 in restricted airspace in Houston on June 11, the tournament’s opening day. Authorities say he flew without a remote pilot license, did not check flight restrictions, and operated an unregistered drone. The flight lasted about two minutes and reached just over 200 feet. Prosecutors say the FBI has also tracked and arrested other operators near World Cup venues.