EWING, N.J. (NewsNation) — The FBI says it has no answers as to the dozens of drones reported at night across New Jersey in recent weeks.
The agency has been investigating reports about the mysterious nighttime drone flights that started occurring last month across central New Jersey and has asked the public for help. Since then, residents have reported seeing drones in other areas.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said during a Wednesday briefing there is “no evidence these are coming from a foreign entity of the work of an adversary.”
She also refuted a claim by U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew who said the drones were being launched by an Iranian mothership. “No there is not any truth to that,” said Singh.
While speaking at an unrelated bill signing event in Princeton, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy noted there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday, mostly in Hunterdon County.
New Jersey State Rep. Brian Bergen told NewsNation he’s not getting enough information from officials.
“There were no answers,” he said. “Every question that was asked by members of the state legislature? No answers. No resolution. They don’t know where the drones are coming from. They don’t know who is doing it. They don’t know why they’re doing it. But they say there’s no credible threat.”
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry said a recent reported sighting over Naval Weapons Station Earle was particularly concerning.
“We had one confirmed drone directly over the top of Earle,” he told NewsNation. “If anybody knows Naval Weapons Station Earle, if you come within 500 feet of Earle, they’re already authorized to fire upon you when you’re just a fishing boat. Unfortunately, it seems like we’re unable to take any action when a foreign, unauthorized drone is flying above.”
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Drone operators also must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The flights initially raised questions in part because they took place near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Most of the drones have been spotted along coastal areas, and some of the devices were recently spotted over a large reservoir in Clinton.
The FBI asks that residents share any videos or photos they may have of the flights, along with any other relevant information.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.