Police charge drone operator near FIFA sites amid enforcement surge
More than a dozen unauthorized drones intercepted since World Cup began; operators face hundreds to thousands in fines.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Toronto police have intercepted more than a dozen unauthorized drones since the FIFA World Cup kicked off in the city, with officers charging another operator after detecting a drone near Strachan Avenue and Ordnance Street on June 21 at 8:15 p.m.
The location was just steps from key World Cup activity zones. Police charged the operator under Canadian Aviation Regulations, which prohibit flying drones in restricted airspace, including temporary no-fly zones for major international events.
Toronto Police posted a public advisory: "No drones. No exceptions. FIFA Fan Festival Toronto and Centennial Park are no-fly zones. Detection tech is in place. Penalties apply. Keep the skies clear."
On June 20, two people were charged for flying drones over and around FIFA sites downtown, including one operator accused of reckless operation. Under Canadian Aviation Regulations, operators of any age can face fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for unsafe or unauthorized drone flights. Police say they will continue enforcement throughout the tournament.