http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/25/drone. ... index.html

TUCSON, Arizona (AP) -- An unmanned aerial drone used to help Border Patrol agents find smugglers and illegal immigrants crashed Tuesday in southern Arizona, authorities said.

Operators lost contact with the $6.5 million Predator B about 3 a.m. A government helicopter found the crash site about three hours later, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Friel.

Officials didn't know the extent of the damage to the drone. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

No one was injured and nothing on the ground was damaged.

While in use, the drone has helped in the apprehension of nearly 1,800 illegal immigrants and the seizure of about 8,200 pounds of marijuana, Friel said.

Flying at altitudes of up to 15,000 feet, the drone uses cameras to find people crossing the border.