All dead drop locations in DMZ

For once, saying your teammate is a literal dumpster is actually accurate.

Three operators sweep through an enemy area in full tactical gear and wielding rifles in DMZ.
Image via Activision

There are plenty of ways to get away with loot and cash in DMZ. Players who are stocked up with so much gear and don’t want to risk it all at an exfil can make use of various dead drop locations around each map.

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Here is a full guide on what dead drops are and where to find them on DMZ’s many maps.

What are dead drops in DMZ?

DMZ’s dead drops are interactive white dumpsters that, when approached, can be used to store items from your inventory. By placing weapons, items, or cash into a dead drop, you earn XP and reduce the cooldown for your insured weapons.

Additionally, there are faction missions that will require you to deposit certain items in specific dead drops. While your items aren’t saved, their cash value is—allowing you to reacquire your favorite weapons and loadouts faster in future deployments.

There are currently 21 active dead drops across DMZ:

  • Six on Al Mazrah
  • Four on Ashika Island
  • Five on Vondel
  • One in Koschei Complex
  • One in Building 21

Here’s where you can find all of them, sorted by what landmarks and locations they are near and what their grid coordinate is on the tactical map.

Note: These are active as of the end of MW2 season six’s “The Haunted” update, and given the mode isn’t expected to receive any more updates, these should be final.

Al Mazrah dead drop locations in DMZ

There have been 11 total dead drop dumpsters that were active at some point in DMZ, but as of MW3 season one there are only six currently active ones. Inactive dead drop dumpsters are still there, but they are a different color and you cannot interact with them. The active drops are marked below.

A map of Al Mazrah from DMZ, with all locations of dead drops marked by a red circle.
That’s a nifty map, don’t you think? Screenshot by Dot Esports

East of Al Bagra Fortress (G5)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
This one should be a little calmer. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This dead drop is located on the east side of the island, dominated by Al Bagra Fortress, in the G5 section of the southeast portion of Al Mazrah. The dumpster, located on the side of a building, is enough distance away from the proper fortress that there shouldn’t be as many enemy AI combatants to deal with.

Zarqwa Hydroelectric (D4)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
Fill up the gas tank and go dumpster diving. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This Al Mazrah dead drop location is behind a small gas station building in Zarqwa Hydroelectric, next to the bridge. Be aware of enemy patrols on the bridge, which are very common in the earlier portions of the DMZ round.

Akhdar Village Center (F5)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
Avoid this one unless absolutely necessary. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Akhdar Village dead drop is one of the hardest Al Mazrah dead drops to reach because it is located right in the middle of the area that is overwhelmed by tough enemy AI combatants. It is located next to one of the entrances to the main bazaar square.

Northeast of Zaya Observatory (E5)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
Yeah, avoid this one, too; there are enemies all over it. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Zaya Observatory dead drop is located on the northeast side of the area, between a trio of buildings (look for a burger sign). Approaching the dead drop from the northeast will be your best bet, as navigating through the entire landmark will be a challenge.

Sattiq Cave Complex (D3)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
These dead drops are actually pretty tough to get to. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This dead drop is located on the outside of, but still effectively in the middle of, the Sattiq Cave Complex. It’s in a little cornered-off area next to an ambulance and a tent.

Al Sharim Pass (G6)

A screenshot of a map of Al Mazrah in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
Seriously, bring like, three guns for this one. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The final Al Mazrah dead drop can be found at the peak to the south of Al Sharim Pass. On top of the hill in the small village, you’ll want to head to the west side of the building, diagonally south of the stronghold. The dumpster will be facing outwards from the entry door.

Ashika Island dead drop locations in DMZ

A map of Ashika Island in DMZ, with red dots indicating the location of each of the map's dead drops.
These dead drops are operator hotspots, so be ready. Screenshot by Dot Esports

There are four Ashika Island dead drop locations. Three are on the island’s surface, while the fourth is underground in the service tunnels and dock.

Ashika Island Town Center: North (E5)

A screenshot of a map of Ashika Island in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
Avoid the Town Center at all costs. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This dead drop is located to the northeast of the Town Center, right at the border of E5 and E4. Cross the road from the gas station and head behind the small building to find a shop, a workbench, and the dead drop dumpster.

Ashika Island Beach Club (E6)

A screenshot of a map of Ashika Island in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
A great view of the water. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Directly in from the west coast and north of the Beach Club will be a gas station. Outside of the back of the station and facing the sea, you’ll find this dead drop. This dumpster is best approached from the north or south, as most enemy operators will be active in the center of the map.

Ashika Island Underground Docks (G5)

A screenshot of a map of Ashika Island in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
No, it’s not in the castle. It’s underground. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This is a tougher Ashika Island dead drop to reach, so only head here if you know where you are going or if it is the most convenient option. You can access the underground dock by boat via numerous inlets around the edge of the island or through the tunnels beneath Tsuki Castle.

Ashika Island Residences (G3)

A screenshot of a map of Ashika Island in DMZ, with a green mark indicating the location of a dead drop.
A stop at the dead drop on the way home. Screenshot by Dot Esports

In the northernmost section of Ashika Island, you’ll come across two houses by the road. The house to the east will have a mesh fence. In the corner of the fence towards the center of G3, you’ll find this dead drop. Be careful when approaching from the center of the island—it’s best to approach via a car on the road.

Vondel dead drop locations in DMZ

A map of Vondel in DMZ, with red dots indicating the locations of each dead drop.
Five dead drops for DMZ’s newest map. Screenshot by Dot Esports

There are five Vondel dead drop locations. Early faction missions will point out the two easiest-to-access dead drops, with a further three more revealed later.

Vondel University Dead Drop (G3)

A screenshot of a map of Vondel, with a dead drop location marked by a green dot.
One of the easiest to access, and close to a spawn point. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The university’s dead drop lies on the border of G3 and F3, in the northeasternmost corner of the main university complex. Across the parking lot, you’ll find a gas station with a white dumpster along its back wall.

Vondel Zoo Dead Drop (D7)

A screenshot of a map of Vondel, with a dead drop location marked by a green dot.
But Dad, I wanted to see the lions! Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Vondel Zoo dead drop is one of the first dead drops you’ll learn about, with the dumpster used in a tier one Phalanx faction mission.

The dead drop dumpster is behind the zoo’s cafeteria, to the west of the zoo in D7. It’s best entered via the southwest entry to the zoo, just off the main road.

Vondel Fire Department West (B5)

A screenshot of a map of Vondel, with a dead drop location marked by a green dot.
The Scavenger is sometimes out here, so be wary. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This Vondel dead drop can be found to the northwest of the Fire Department. Head to the outer edge ring road of the map at B5. In the final building before the intersection, there is a small, paved parking lot with a dead drop outside an apartment block.

Vondel Phalanx Dead Drop (E3)

A screenshot of a map of Vondel, with a dead drop location marked by a green dot.
Smack bang in the middle of the map. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This is the dead drop used by the Phalanx faction to collect any special documents or weapons you encounter via faction missions. This dead drop is directly off of the main road where E3, E4, D4, and D3 intersect, against the red brick wall of a nearby building.

Vondel Museum Dead Drop (H6)

A screenshot of a map of Vondel, with a dead drop location marked by a green dot.
Also underground, this dead drop is in a car park. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Museum dead drop can be found against the southeasternmost corner of the Museum, facing east—but it isn’t at ground level. Underneath the museum is the underground parking lot, accessible via the museum’s atrium or the road entrance. The dead drop is inside the parking lot near the entry stairwell.

Koschei Complex dead drop location in DMZ

The Koschei Complex Shopkeeper, inside a room with a red carpet with two separate Buy Stations to the left and right, in DMZ.
Don’t think I’d go this far just for a dead drop. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The special Koschei Complex zone has one dead drop, located at the Shopkeeper deep inside the main complex area. To access this, you’ll need to enter the Koschei Complex. Make sure you are armed and ready for a fight, as enemies—both bots and players—will be ready.

How to reach the Koschei Complex dead drop

Enter and proceed to the Chemical Plant. You’ll want to find the Factory Admin Key, which will be inside the various vents and crawlspaces in the plant room. Bring some night vision goggles, as the power is completely out in this section.

Once you’ve found a key, head to the bunker door marked A/1 on the outside walls of the complex and use the key to open the door. Push through and into Factory Admin, and look for the Shop sign.

Inside a small room will be the Shopkeeper. His shop features various special items, but speaking to the Shopkeeper himself will open the dead drop menu.

Building 21 dead drop location in DMZ

Building 21 has a single dead drop, but it can spawn in one of four different locations. It will spawn at the bottom of one of the corner stairwells on the lowest floor. It appears as a white dumpster, just like any standard dead drop.


You’ll have to battle against other players, of course, but hopefully, this information on dead drop locations in DMZ will help you take advantage of the dead drop system for all of your future DMZ battles.

Author
Image of Nicholas Taifalos
Nicholas Taifalos
Weekend editor for Dot Esports. Nick, better known as Taffy, began his esports career in commentary, switching to journalism with a focus on Oceanic esports, particularly Counter-Strike and Dota. Email: nicholas@dotesports.com
Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.
Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.