A pair of Miami content creators say they got an unexpected visit from federal agents after launching a drone from the balcony of their downtown penthouse, unaware they were flying in a restricted airspace during the FIFA World Cup.
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Dorian Carlisle and Hashim Moore said they had purchased the drone less than a week earlier and were simply trying to create Father’s Day content.
“We was not looking in other people’s apartments. We’re content creators. We were just trying to get footage,” Carlisle said in a video posted to social media.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dorian Carlisle (@lifewithdorian_)
Instead, within about 10 minutes of launching the drone, they said someone began trying to open their apartment door before loudly knocking.
“And then right as soon after that, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, banging on the door,” Carlisle recalled.
The roommates live in the heart of downtown Miami, just blocks from Bayfront Park, where FIFA has been hosting Fan Fest events during the World Cup.
According to the pair, the drone never traveled more than about 10 feet from their balcony.
“The drone wasn’t anywhere more than 10 feet away from our balcony, to be honest. Just right there, just recording that,” Carlisle said.
Still, federal authorities responded.
“We were just trying to get some wholesome content. And the FBI barges in,” Moore said.
The two said they were shocked and worried they could be arrested.
“We was just extremely confused. It was more of just like a shock factor, and then trying to understand what was actually happening, and if we were going to jail or not,” Moore said.
Ahead of the World Cup, the FBI’s Miami field office announced temporary flight restrictions and “no-drone zones” around Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) and Bayfront Park.
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Authorities say the restrictions are designed to protect public safety.
“The government can establish temporary flight restrictions around special events or sensitive locations to keep the public safe,” an FBI public service announcement states. “Flying in these areas isn’t just dangerous, it’s a federal crime.”
6/23/2026: FBI Miami and our partners are actively enforcing FAA no fly zones around World Cup venues. To date we have ticketed 52 operators and seized 57 drones. Learn more: https://t.co/iIaXx1PeK1 pic.twitter.com/PtojhPz85r
— FBI Miami (@FBIMiamiFL) June 23, 2026
Since the World Cup began, Miami Police say at least 52 people have been ticketed and 57 drones have been seized.
Carlisle and Moore were issued a $530 citation, received a warning from their building and had their drone confiscated. They said they may have to wait months before getting it back.
The pair says they now understand the importance of the restrictions and were relieved after explaining the situation to agents.
“As soon as we explained the situation and told them what we were doing, their mood switched up and they were actually really nice people,” Carlisle said.
Authorities did not explain to the men exactly how they tracked the drone to their apartment. However, most drones are equipped with Remote ID technology, which broadcasts information including the drone’s location and where it was launched from.
Federal officials warn that violating temporary flight restrictions can result in civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, up to a year in prison, and seizure of the drone.
The FBI also advised drone operators to check airspace restrictions before flying, using the B4UFLY app or visiting tfr.faa.gov. Any suspicious drone activity should be reported to 911.
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Olivia Rodriguez contributed to this report.