Fronteras

The United States has grounded its border drone fleet after one crashed off the California coast late Monday night.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection drone was flying a patrol 20 miles off the coast at about 11:15 p.m. Monday. CBP spokesman Michael Friel said the Predator B drone experienced mechanical issues and operators crashed it into the ocean when it became clear it couldn’t return to Sierra Vista, Ariz.

As a result, the agency has grounded its entire fleet, now down to nine drones. 

Federal flight crash investigators were notified.