Encl (2) to COMDTINST 16010.8
Illegal Drug Interdiction
Why We Act
Every American citizen is adversely impacted by illegal drug use. Over 20,000 Americans
each year. The annual social cost of drug use is estimated at 0 million - the
consequence of drug-related crime (Office of National Drug Control Strategy (ONDCP)
"Drug Facts and Figures.") Drug smuggling destabilizes nations where drugs are produced
treatment, domestic law enforcement, high seas interdiction, and international
cooperation. The National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) is the President's comprehensive
policy document addressing all these needs. The Coast Guard, as lead agency for
maritime and co- lead agency for airborne interdiction, plays a vital role in
implementing NDCS Goal 4 (Shield America's Air, Land and Sea Frontiers from the Drug
Threat) and Goal 5 (Break Drug Sources of Supply).
Key Factors
Smuggling via maritime routes is an efficient method of transporting illegal drugs.
Maritime borders are more difficult to control than airport and highway entry ports, and
illegal drugs can be disguised as or included with legitimate cargo. Moreover,
smuggling routes can easily be shifted between different maritime paths, or between land
and air routes. The Caribbean maritime routes are overlapped by numerous national
jurisdictions that must coordinate strategies to create an effective deterrent. Domestic
and international socioeconomic conditions influence the supply and demand of illegal
drugs. Finally, other agency efforts influence drugs flows. For example, a large pulse
effort to decrease the flow across the southwest land border may cause smugglers to
shift to maritime routes. We must continue to improve our readiness and effectiveness
as smugglers continue to find more sophisticated techniques.
Strategies
The Coast Guard has developed a 10 year Counterdrug Strategic Plan that sets goals and
establishes a framework of campaign plans that target high-threat areas. It is closely
aligned with NDCS goals. We seek to maintain an effective maritime presence using
cutters and aircraft to deter smugglers and reduce the cocaine flow below the domestic
demand level. However, patrolling is only part of our strategy to improve performance.
We seek to make our efforts more effective by employing improved patrol tactics, using
intelligence more effectively, and applying better training. We also send cutters to
other nations for engagement and training to enhance their ability to prevent smuggling.
Deployments include UNITAS training with the U.S. Navy to the Caribbean, South and
Central America. Our research projects seek to improve detection capability, including
new technology to counter threats to our detection and search devices, resulting in
better detection of illegal smuggling.
Coordination
The ONDCP coordinates overall U.S. drug control policy. The Commandant of the Coast
Guard serves as the U.S. Interdiction Coordinator to coordinate the efforts conducted by
Defense, Customs, Drug Enforcement Agency, and state and local law enforcement. The
Coast Guard also coordinates with the State Department to negotiate international
bilateral agreements to combat smuggling.
38 Maritime Safety