Jordanian forces recorded 231 smuggling and infiltration attempts and downed 56 drones across various borders during the first half of 2026. Within the southwestern border area with Israel, military units conducted 17 interception operations linked to drones during the same period. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya reported that drug seizures have reached 15,342 cases during the current year. "There is an increase in drug smuggling operations from Israel to Jordan using drones," Mazen al-Faraya stated. "The number of seized drug cases during the current year reached 15,342 cases. Trafficking cases constituted about 28 percent of them, compared with 72 percent for usage cases." These figures reflect a rise in unauthorized border activity involving aerial technology as authorities intensify efforts to intercept illicit shipments.
Sophisticated Smuggling Methods Emerge
Ammar al-Qudah reported that organized gangs operating within the Negev Desert have acquired more than 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles. These devices were originally designed for agricultural and security applications before being redirected for illicit use. The current availability of such technology has enabled groups to modify these systems for aerial transport across the border. Military and security officials continue to monitor these developments as the illicit repurposing of commercial hardware presents new challenges for border enforcement. Authorities are assessing how these specific assets are being integrated into broader smuggling networks to bypass standard surveillance measures. The acquisition of these drones represents a significant shift in the technical capabilities of actors involved in cross-border trafficking activities.
Regional Networks and Routes
Trafficking cases constituted 28 percent of seized drug cases in Jordan, while usage cases accounted for 72 percent of the total volume. These proportions reflect the distribution of narcotics enforcement actions recorded by local authorities throughout the current year.
Economic incentives drive the movement of these substances across the border. Israeli security services estimate that the price of hashish in Jordan is about 15 times higher than in Israel. This significant price disparity creates a substantial financial motive for actors involved in smuggling operations. Security agencies monitor these market trends as part of ongoing efforts to address the flow of illicit goods into the country, particularly as smuggling networks adapt to utilize new aerial technologies to exploit the price differences between the two markets.
Economic Drivers of Trafficking
The British newspaper The Telegraph estimated that 1kg of hashish can sell for approximately 7,500 pounds sterling, a figure equivalent to almost $10,000. These price valuations inform current security assessments regarding the profitability of illicit trade across the border.
Israel established the 96th Division in 2025 to operate in the Jordan Valley. The formation of this military unit serves to manage security operations within the area, including the oversight of activities along the border.