Drones turned into ‘aerial hunters’ for illegal hunting; prosecutors promote the use of technology for good

Recently, there have been a series of incidents involving illegal drone flights in various regions, posing a serious threat to public safety, aviation operations, and the ecological environment. Relevant authorities have taken strict enforcement actions in accordance with the law.

On March 18, 2026, national security authorities reported a typical case involving a drone photography enthusiast who, in pursuit of better shots, used software to illegally bypass flight altitude limits and no-fly zone restrictions. He also modified the hardware without authorization and repeatedly flew in violation of regulations within civil aviation air routes, reaching a maximum altitude of over 8,000 meters—overlapping with the cruising altitude of commercial airliners—thereby posing a major threat to aviation safety. He has now been placed under criminal detention in accordance with the law on suspicion of endangering public safety through dangerous means.

On March 19, police in Leshan, Sichuan, reported that a licensed drone pilot illegally used an agricultural drone to transport timber. To save time, the pilot flew above the permitted altitude, causing the tow rope to become entangled in a 10-kilovolt high-voltage power line. This triggered a widespread power outage in the area, with some regions experiencing outages lasting over 27 hours. The involved entity was required to cover the repair costs of over 8,000 yuan, and the pilot was administratively detained for five days in accordance with the law. Also in March, the procuratorial authorities in Chun’an, Zhejiang, reviewed and prosecuted a case of illegal hunting. Luo and three others purchased drones online and illegally modified them by installing thermal imaging cameras and firing devices. They repeatedly entered mountainous areas late at night to remotely hunt wild boars and other wildlife using the modified equipment. Their actions damaged the ecosystem and endangered public safety, and they have been held criminally liable in accordance with the law. In addition, authorities in Hohhot and other locations have successively investigated cases of unauthorized flights near airports. The individuals involved failed to report and obtain approval as required and flew without authorization in controlled airspace; they were subject to administrative penalties in accordance with the law. The police and relevant regulatory authorities remind the public that drones are not exempt from the law. Unauthorized flights, illegal modifications, and flights exceeding permitted limits not only endanger civil aviation, power facilities, and public safety but also result in legal liabilities such as fines and detention. In serious cases, criminal liability will be pursued. All drone users must strictly comply with flight management regulations, proactively complete registration procedures, and operate safely within compliant airspace.