US Military Targets Drug Traffickers Using Drones and Gunships

The US military has initiated a comprehensive campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking boats in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, employing a range of advanced military assets. According to sources familiar with the operation, the primary tools for these strikes include MQ-9 Reaper drones, which are remotely piloted and equipped with Hellfire missiles, alongside manned aircraft such as AC-130J gunships and various fighter jets.

Since the start of September 2023, the military has conducted 19 strikes that have resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals and the destruction of 20 boats. This aggressive action is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing the influx of illegal drugs into the United States. While the Pentagon has not publicly detailed the specific aircraft or technologies being utilized, the deployment of military assets has concentrated significantly in Puerto Rico.

Military Assets Mobilized

In Puerto Rico, the US military has stationed multiple MQ-9 drones, F-35 fighter jets, and at least one AC-130J gunship. These assets are crucial for conducting operations in the Caribbean, where their operational ranges are tested. Recent reports indicated that an AC-130J gunship was seen armed with precision-guided missiles on October 9.

Further evidence of increased military activity is evident in El Salvador, where an AC-130J operated by the US Air Force was identified at the Comalapa Cooperative Security Location (CSL). This facility, which has historically hosted maritime surveillance aircraft, is now playing a more active role in the counternarcotics campaign, being ideally situated to monitor smuggling routes across the Pacific.

The reopening of the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico, which had been inactive since 2004, and the enhanced use of the El Salvador facility mark significant shifts in US military strategy in the region. According to Dr. Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, the Comalapa facility allows for broader surveillance capabilities across a critical portion of the Pacific Ocean, where much of the cocaine trafficked toward the US originates.

Cost and Strategic Implications

The Pentagon’s recent strategy has focused more on strikes in the eastern Pacific rather than the Caribbean, as intelligence suggests that cocaine is predominantly trafficked from Colombia to Mexico en route to the US. While lawmakers have requested information regarding the financial costs of this military campaign, officials have been hesitant to disclose total expenditures. Each strike reportedly costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, with data indicating that a single Hellfire missile costs approximately $150,000, and the operational costs for a Reaper drone can reach $3,500 per flight hour.

The targeting of these strikes is managed by a joint US Southern Command and Special Operations Command targeting cell, with contributions from the intelligence community. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised regarding the identification of individuals on board targeted vessels, as administration officials have acknowledged that the identities are not always known prior to executing strikes.

As additional military resources, including the Ford Carrier Strike Group, are directed toward the Caribbean, questions arise regarding the potential for escalation in military actions. Senior US military officials have indicated that the purpose of these assets is to support counternarcotics operations, but the significant military presence in the region has sparked speculation about broader strategic intentions.

The evolving landscape of US military engagement in the fight against drug trafficking reflects both an urgent response to ongoing challenges and a commitment to utilizing advanced technology in modern warfare. As operations continue, the implications for regional stability and international relations remain to be seen.