A recent operation by the Coast Guard has underscored the Trump Administration’s strong stance against drug trafficking. In a dramatic display of force, a Coast Guard helicopter sniper disabled the engine of a drug boat in the Eastern Pacific. This directly contributed to a major seizure of over 20,000 pounds of cocaine. This event took place during Operation Pacific Viper, a focused initiative aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
Footage of the operation, aired by Fox News, showcases the sniper’s precision as he targets the go-fast vessel. Following this decisive action, a Coast Guard cutter, the Munro, swiftly arrived to secure the seized drugs. This mission represents the largest single seizure executed by a national security cutter against a drug trafficking boat. To put the magnitude of this seizure in perspective, the 20,000 pounds of cocaine equates to more than 7.5 million potentially fatal doses.
Operation Pacific Viper began its initiative in August, combining the efforts of the Coast Guard and Navy to combat drug cartels across Latin America. By October, the Coast Guard reported an astonishing capture of 100,000 pounds of cocaine since the operation’s inception. This amounts to an average of about 1,600 pounds of cocaine intercepted each day. Notably, the military has taken out 22 narco-terrorist vessels in a targeted effort to protect U.S. citizens from the dangers of drug trafficking.
Despite the successes of Operation Pacific Viper, detractors remain, particularly among Democratic circles. Recent criticisms have emerged, labeling the military’s actions as excessive. In a notable incident, a claim known as the “double-tap hoax” was propagated, suggesting that the Coast Guard’s actions were unwarranted. However, evidence quickly surfaced showing that drug traffickers had attempted to recover their cargo after the initial strike, justifying the necessity of the subsequent action.
This situation highlights the ongoing conflict between different perspectives on how to handle drug enforcement. While President Trump and his administration are committed to an intimidating approach against cartel operations, opposition voices question the methods employed. As the national dialogue continues to evolve, the outcomes of such operations will likely remain a focal point in discussions about drug policy and enforcement tactics.
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