Highlights
– Submarines becoming the method of choice to smuggle cocaine
– Vessels capable of carrying between three and 12 tons of cocaine
– Trafficking routes have shifted from the Caribbean to the Pacific
– Traffickers will continue to use narco-subs in the near to mid-term
Counter narcotic officials face a renewed challenge in the attempt to halt drug smuggling into the United States (US). The semi-submersible vessel is becoming a more common method for transporting illicit drugs to the US. In 2007, authorities spotted more than 10 “semi-subs” from the air, a figure that exceeds the number seen over the past decade alone.
One major benefit of the submarine is its ability to transport larger cargoes than the high speed boats frequently used by traffickers. Additionally it is difficult to detect by land and air radar, as it travels 99 percent below the surface of water. Reportedly, the concept of the vessels was developed by veteran Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) member known as Mono Jojoy, a commander wanted for killing missionaries and forcing children into the army. Due to the high volume of cocaine transported and the ability to evade detection, drug traffickers will likely continue to increasingly use submarines to move their product to US markets.
Details of the Submarine
According to a Department of Justice prosecutor, vessels utilized by drug smugglers are manufactured from carbon fiber and are self-propelled. They can range in size from 45 feet long and five feet wide to 60 feet long and 10-12 feet wide. The submarines previously moved at eight knots, but are now capable of reaching 12 to 14 knots. The average narco-subs are capable of transporting between three and 12 tons of cocaine; however the largest ship discovered was 100 feet long and was capable of carrying 200 tons of cocaine. Each ship contains three scuttle valves, which the crew can open to sink the vessel, if spotted by officials.
According to officials, semi submersibles are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Reportedly, FARC members have worked with Russians and Asian engineers who train locals. According to a 2007 report, a pair of FARC submarines recovered in November 2007 contained a functioning conning tower (a raised platform from which an individual can control the vessel), a periscope and four bunk beds. Additionally, the vessels were equipped with diesel engines, radar antennae and 20-foot air tubes for use during submersion.
Smuggling Illicit Drugs
Semi-subs are frequently navigated by crews of four or five impoverished fishermen from Colombia and Mexico who agree to take the dangerous voyage for an estimated US$30,000 per trip. According to the Center for International Policy, drug lords earn approximately US$15,000 per kilo of cocaine. On average, a crewmember receives the cost of between two and three kilos, or three-ten thousandth of the shipment of 15,000 kilos.
Drug traffickers have been forced to adapt to routes in the Pacific that are more dangerous and expensive as the US Coast Guard has increased pressure by carrying out a record number of seizures worth more than US$4.7 billion last year in Caribbean waters. Due to increased surveillance, smugglers have also turned to riskier transport tactics, including dissolving cocaine in diesel fuel.
Looking Ahead
Recently, a new bill was introduced in the US Congress that would make it a crime punishable by law up to 20 years in prison for persons caught in one of these vessels. Additionally, it is reported the Drug Enforcement Administration has limited resources, preventing the agency from fully targeting every transport vessel. As the demand for cocaine remains high in the US, and drug traffickers are able to offer large amounts of cash to poor crewmembers, drug smuggling will continue to be a problem in the long-term. Furthermore, as semi-submersibles are frequently successful, it is likely drug traffickers will increase the use of the vessels in the near to mid-term.