TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A growing mystery along the Jersey Shore has prompted Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy to launch a new strategy: using his department’s drones to track fleets of unidentifiable drones making landfall in Toms River, Seaside Heights, and other beachfront areas. The move comes after a series of baffling reports of drone swarms appearing offshore and maneuvering through coastal airspace with unprecedented speed and sophistication.
According to law enforcement officials, these drones are unlike any commercial or recreational models typically seen in the area. Some are reported to have wingspans of up to eight feet, and they lack the heat signatures normally associated with drones powered by standard propulsion systems. This unusual feature has raised concerns about their origin, purpose, and potential threat. “The mysterious drones, which don’t give off heat like more typical versions, swiftly maneuvered out of their clutches,” Mastronardy told News Nation reporter Rich McHugh.
Sheriff Mastronardy’s efforts to identify the drones have triggered a coordinated response involving the New Jersey State Police, the FBI, and the U.S. Coast Guard. In one alarming incident, Coast Guard personnel reported that 13 of the unidentified drones followed one of their vessels, a 47-foot rescue boat, in close proximity. Despite attempts to track or intercept the drones, they quickly evaded capture, leaving authorities frustrated and without answers.
Mastronardy detailed the drone’s weak heat signature and evasive maneuvers, giving his own drone unit the slip before disappearing into the night over the ocean.
Congressman Chris Smith, whose district encompasses parts of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, has demanded immediate federal action to address the situation. In a fiery statement, Smith criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other federal officials for downplaying the phenomenon. “The massive invasion of drones observed and recorded by many of our citizens—including law enforcement and military personnel—isn’t unusual?” Smith said, referencing Mayorkas’ recent assertion that the government has found no evidence of a threat. “How can anyone speculate or issue assurances to the thousands of Americans who have witnessed the drones that there is no threat?”
The congressman went on to highlight the sightings at Naval Weapons Station Earle, a critical military facility in Monmouth County, as well as the drones’ evasive tactics that suggest “a major military power sophistication.” Smith raised concerns about the drones potentially being deployed by foreign adversaries such as Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea to test U.S. defenses. “The Pentagon has already said the drones are not ours,” he said, adding that the federal government must do more to address the situation.
The increasing frequency of sightings has also spurred calls for legislative changes. State and local law enforcement agencies, such as those led by Sheriff Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, are currently limited in their authority to take decisive action against the drones. Smith stated that Sheriff Golden had recently requested legislation empowering state police to bring down drones that pose risks to critical infrastructure or public safety.
As the mystery deepens, the federal government is under mounting pressure to act. Smith has written to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urging the Department of Defense to authorize the use of force to capture or disable at least one of the drones to determine its origin. “Knowing how drone warfare has radically changed warfighting in Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East, and elsewhere, this is not the time to trivialize or dismiss the threat,” Smith said.
Sheriff Mastronardy echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the challenges of tracking and neutralizing the drones. While the sheriff’s office has deployed its own drones to try to trace the intruding devices back to their source, no conclusive leads have emerged. The sheriff has praised the cooperation of local and federal agencies but emphasized the need for stronger tools and authority to address the growing concern.
Meanwhile, sightings of the mysterious drones continue to pour in, with witnesses reporting their unusual flight patterns and speed. Law enforcement and military personnel, who have recorded several of the incidents, have described the drones’ ability to evade tracking technology, further fueling speculation that they are equipped with advanced capabilities.
Residents in the affected areas remain on edge as they await answers. While officials stress that there is no immediate danger to the public, the lack of clarity surrounding the drones’ origin and purpose has left many uneasy. The situation has drawn comparisons to the Chinese surveillance balloon incident earlier this year, during which a foreign object was allowed to traverse U.S. airspace before being downed.
The mystery has also raised broader questions about airspace security in the U.S. and the ability of local, state, and federal authorities to respond to emerging threats. “Have we so little control over our airspace?” Smith asked during his statement, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
As the Jersey Shore drone mystery unfolds, the demand for answers—and action—continues to grow. The situation is being closely monitored by federal and state agencies, with officials vowing to investigate the issue until the source of the drones is uncovered.