FBI, Homeland Security say drones in N.J. are not a threat

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said they found no evidence to suggest the clusters of drones spotted flying over New Jersey posed any threat to the public, though they provided little other information about the mysterious sightings riling the Garden State.

The agencies in a joint statement released Thursday added that they have no reason to believe the aircrafts are tied to a “foreign nexus.”

“Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully,” the statement read. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space.”

It comes after the White House earlier this week issued a statement shooting down speculation the drones were coming from an Iranian “mothership” anchored off the East Coast.

Gov. Phil Murphy has also worked to calm startled residents in the weeks since the drone sightings began. He has repeatedly said they do not pose a threat to the public and that the matter remains under investigation.

The drone sightings in New Jersey started back in November, in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Residents reported the “fixed-wing aircrafts,” some them in packs as big as eight, zipping around the airspace over mid- and northern New Jersey, including near Donald Trump’s National Golf Club in Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Rockaway.

There have also been unconfirmed reports of drones flying over New York, including near LaGuardia airport. On Thursday, the New York City Emergency Management Department addressed the sightings, saying it had not gotten any official reports of drone activity.

“We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports,” the FBI and DHS said.

“To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage,” the statement concluded. “While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities.”

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