Covert U.S. Spy Plane Tracked on Clandestine Cartel Stronghold Mission
US Spy Plane’s Mysterious Mission Over Gulf of California Linked to Cartel Territory
A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane conducted a covert mission over the Gulf of California this week, sparking speculation about its purpose. The aircraft departed Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Monday, flew southwest to California, and traced Mexico’s Baja California peninsula before looping north into the Gulf of California. Tracking confirms the plane remained in international airspace, avoiding Mexico’s territorial waters.
[Image: RC-135 flight path map]
Cartel Hotspot and Surveillance Speculation
The Gulf of California region is heavily influenced by the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious drug trafficking organization. The U.S. military has not officially disclosed the mission’s intent, but experts suggest the RC-135—equipped to intercept communications and geolocate signals—may have monitored cartel activity. The War Zone reported the aircraft could gather intelligence on drug trafficking routes or cross-border criminal operations.
[Image: RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft]
Tensions at the Border
U.S.-Mexico relations remain strained over drug smuggling and immigration. The flight coincided with a 30-day pause in former President Trump’s tariff threats, allowing Mexico to bolster border security. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently deployed 10,000 National Guard members to curb drug trafficking, while the U.S. pledged to tackle arms smuggling southward.
[Image: Protesters in Los Angeles]
RC-135: A Spy in the Sky
The RC-135 carries over 30 personnel, including intelligence operators, and provides real-time data for military operations. A Pentagon official hinted such aircraft might support border surveillance, raising questions about whether this mission targeted cartel communication networks or migrant movements.
Troop Surge and Deportations
The Pentagon has deployed over 2,000 troops to the southern border, with 140 intelligence personnel and 500 soldiers assigned to US Northern Command. This follows Trump’s executive actions, including controversial flights deporting “high-threat” migrants to Guantánamo Bay. Ten individuals arrived this week, housed in repurposed detention facilities.
[Image: U.S. Marines at border wall]
Unanswered Questions
While the RC-135 mission’s specifics remain classified, its path over cartel territory highlights ongoing security challenges. DailyMail.com has contacted U.S. Northern Command and Mexican officials for comment.
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[Image captions retained from original article for context]
