Jordanian security forces recorded 17 interception operations linked to drones during the first half of 2026 in the southwestern border area with Israel. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya reported 15,342 seized drug cases in Jordan during 2026. "There is an increase in drug smuggling operations from Israel to Jordan using drones," Mazen al-Faraya said. Ammar al-Qudah, a member of the Jordanian Senate and retired major-general, stated, "The smuggling networks are linked to other gangs in Jordan, Sinai and the Negev, and rely on a route starting from Sinai, passing through the Negev, and reaching Wadi Araba, in addition to other routes including the Lebanese border with Israel and the Galilee region towards Syria." These findings show a shift in regional illicit trafficking methods.
Rising Sophistication in Smuggling
Jordanian security forces downed 56 drones across various borders during the first half of 2026. This period saw a marked rise in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for illicit transport. Ammar al-Qudah claimed that organized gangs in the Negev have obtained more than 1,000 drones originally used for agricultural and security purposes. These devices, once intended for commercial or defensive tasks, now facilitate the movement of contraband across the territory. Retired Brigadier-General and strategic and military expert Daifallah al-Daboubi noted the shifting operational capacity of these criminal entities. "Groups active in Beersheba and the Negev possess great financial capabilities and use advanced smuggling methods, most notably drones," Daifallah al-Daboubi said. The equipment allows networks to bypass traditional terrestrial checkpoints along the border.
Economic Drivers of Trafficking
The Telegraph estimated that 1kg of hashish can sell for approximately 7,500 pounds sterling, a figure equivalent to almost $10,000. This high market valuation creates significant financial incentives for regional smuggling operations. Israeli security services report that the price of hashish in Jordan is about 15 times higher than the price in Israel. The substantial disparity in market value between the two countries drives the movement of illicit goods across the border. Criminal networks utilize this price gap to maximize profits through the transport of narcotics. The combination of high demand in Jordan and low acquisition costs in neighboring areas sustains the illicit trade despite intensified interception efforts by security forces.
Regional Security and Networks
Jordanian security forces recorded 231 smuggling and infiltration attempts across various borders during the first half of 2026. These events represent the broader operational challenges faced by regional authorities in monitoring frontier zones.
Israel established the 96th Division in the Jordan Valley in 2025 to boost security on its eastern border. The creation of this military unit aimed to address the increased activity observed along the territorial boundary shared with Jordan.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya reported a total of 15,342 seized drug cases in Jordan throughout 2026. Data from his office indicates that trafficking cases accounted for 28 percent of these incidents. Usage cases comprised the remaining 72 percent of the total seized drug cases recorded during the year. These figures categorize the specific nature of law enforcement interventions related to illicit substances within the country.