US drones have entered Mexican territory to help track down drug gang activity

US drones have entered Mexican territory to help track down drug gang activity, Mexican and US government officials confirmed Wednesday, but stressed that they have been used only in specific instances and under Mexican supervision.
The drones had been requested by the Mexican government to conduct surveillance 'particularly in the border area, to attain concrete goals in the field of security,' Mexico's National Security Council said in a statement.
'(Mexico) has requested from the United States government the support of drones on specific occasions and events,' the council said.
The move is part of an increased US role in Mexico's drug wars. In Washington, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the action but referred reporters to the Mexican government for details.
The New York Times earlier Wednesday reported that the United States has been sending high-altitude, unarmed drones into Mexico since last month. Some drones were being sent deep into Mexican territory to help locate drug traffickers and their networks.