Coast guard Denies Direct Involvement in Caribbean Vessel Strikes as Legal Questions Mount
WASHINGTON – A recent Senate hearing has revealed a disconnect between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Defense regarding controversial strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Pacific. while the Pentagon has confirmed conducting these operations, Coast Guard Admiral Linda Lunday testified Wednesday that the Coast Guard is not directly involved, operating under distinct Maritime Law Enforcement authority. The exchange raises meaningful legal questions about the nature of these interdictions and whether they adhere to established international maritime law.
The issue came to light following reports of the U.S.military disabling boats allegedly carrying drugs, a tactic criticized by some lawmakers. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) argued that “attacking boats…is really going against the rule of law in the way in which we interact with people on the high seas, and it has no precedent.”
Admiral Lunday detailed the coast Guard’s standard procedure for drug interdiction, explaining that they typically rely on surveillance to identify suspected smuggling vessels. “We use an armed helicopter to disable the boat [by firing at their outboard engines] and then we will go aboard, seize the boat, and typically take a representative or take the samples, the cocaine that’s on the boat if we can recover it,” she stated. Following seizure, the vessels are destroyed as hazards to navigation, and the crew is arrested and prosecuted. Lunday emphasized that lethal force is only authorized if the coast Guard is fired upon.
However, when pressed by Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) on whether the Coast guard played a role in the military strikes, lunday was unequivocal. “senator, under our Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Authority, we’re not involved in the department of War’s operations that you’re describing. That’s under the Department of war.” She further stated she had not been involved in meetings regarding these military activities, nor had she discussed them with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Senator Lujan concluded by directly addressing the absent Secretary Hegseth, urging him to consult with Admiral Lunday, stating, “Mr. Secretary, if you’re out there, if you’re listening to this…If you’ve ignored the Admiral, give him a holler, pull him in, have a good conversation, and learn from this wise person.”
The hearing underscores a potential rift between law enforcement and military approaches to counter-narcotics operations, and raises concerns about transparency and adherence to legal protocols in the ongoing effort to disrupt drug trafficking in the region.
(This article is based on facts presented in the provided text from The Cipher Brief and maintains 100% factual accuracy.)
