US Coast Guard, under Biden, failed to ‘consistently’ stop drug smuggling
The U.S. Coast Guard faced challenges in consistently stopping drug smugglers during the Biden administration, according to a recent report by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General. The report revealed that Coast Guard vessels were unavailable for a total of 2,000 days over a three-year period from fiscal years 2021 through 2023.
The audit specifically focused on the Coast Guard’s efforts to interdict non-commercial vessels smuggling drugs into the U.S. across 95,000 miles of coastal waters and more than 300 ports. Cocaine was highlighted as the primary drug smuggled by sea, prompting the agency to prioritize its efforts in combating cocaine trafficking.
One of the key findings of the report was that the Coast Guard did not have enough cutter vessels to effectively carry out the antidrug mission. Additionally, the agency lacked a contingency plan to address the unavailability of cutters for drug interdiction operations.
The report highlighted that Coast Guard cutters were unavailable for a total of 2,058 days over the three-year period, with reasons including reallocation to migrant interdiction, unscheduled maintenance, and operational challenges due to COVID-19 protocols. The report also noted a correlation between the increase in days cutters were unavailable and a decline in seized cocaine.
Coast Guard personnel attributed these issues to deferred maintenance, citing insufficient funding for repairs and maintenance as a significant factor affecting cutter availability. The report emphasized that addressing these maintenance issues is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of the Coast Guard’s drug interdiction efforts.
Despite intercepting around 421 metric tons of cocaine between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2023, the Coast Guard fell short of its goal of 690 metric tons. The report also raised concerns about the accuracy of data recording, with a significant percentage of counter drug case files lacking seizure results and required documentation.
In response to the report, the Coast Guard agreed with most of the recommendations, including updating systems to ensure data accuracy. However, it disagreed with the recommendation to develop a drug interdiction contingency plan, deeming it redundant and ineffective. The Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to strengthening its tactics and procedures to combat drug trafficking and disrupt the flow of illegal drugs entering the country.
Overall, the report underscored the importance of addressing maintenance issues, improving data accuracy, and enhancing operational efficiency to enhance the Coast Guard’s drug interdiction efforts. By implementing the recommended measures, the Coast Guard aims to better meet its target goals in removing cocaine and reducing the illicit flow of drugs into the United States.
