The scale of this operation is truly remarkable. Seizing 45,000 pounds of cocaine and 3,800 pounds of marijuana is a significant blow to the cartels, especially considering the $500 million value of the drugs. It’s clear that the U.S. authorities are using an extensive range of tools, from drones to ships, to combat the drug trade and dismantle these criminal networks.
The involvement of both the Justice Department and the Coast Guard, along with the coordination between agencies, shows a strong commitment to tackling not just the drug trade but also the violence associated with it. The connection to powerful cartels like CJNG and Sinaloa highlights the complexity of the international drug trafficking problem.
It’s also interesting to hear FBI Director Kash Patel mention the “next-man-up” theory, which suggests that cartel members are often quickly replaced, making it even more difficult to disrupt these operations. But with continued efforts and collaboration, it seems authorities are making strides in tackling the problem.
What do you think about the approach being used to disrupt these drug operations? Do you think it’s effective in the long term?