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Record-breaking Coast Guard drug seizures and aggressive new tactics under Trump’s leadership are crushing cartel operations, but critics warn of rising controversy over lethal force at sea.
Story Highlights
- The Coast Guard has seized over 510,000 pounds of cocaine in FY2025, marking a new record for maritime interdiction.
- Helicopter chases and sharpshooter teams now routinely disable or destroy drug boats before they reach U.S. shores.
- The Trump administration’s crackdown includes targeted airstrikes, sinking 16 smuggling vessels and eliminating 67 suspects.
- Critics argue these hardline tactics may clash with international law, while supporters praise the restoration of border control and safety.
Coast Guard’s New Aggressive Tactics Under Trump
In 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard, backed by the Trump administration, has unleashed the most aggressive anti-cartel strategies in decades. Helicopters now pursue cartel boats across the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, deploying sharpshooter teams trained to disable engines with precision fire.
These operations don’t just intercept smugglers—they leave boats dead in the water, preventing any chance of escape or reuse by criminal organizations. Record-breaking cocaine seizures highlight the effectiveness and escalation of these methods.
This approach reflects a broader administration commitment to restoring order at the border and dismantling the infrastructure that supports cartel operations. Since Trump’s return to office, the Coast Guard’s HITRON Squadron marked its 1,000th drug interdiction, while daily cocaine seizure rates have soared.
The deliberate destruction of smuggling boats—sometimes by sinking them—prevents traffickers from reusing their assets and signals a zero-tolerance stance on narcotics entering American waters.
Historic Results and Policy Shifts: Enforcement, Not Appeasement
With the Biden administration’s era of lax enforcement and globalist priorities in the past, the Trump administration has prioritized American security and sovereignty. Over 510,000 pounds of cocaine have been seized in FY2025 alone, and joint Coast Guard and Navy operations in June led to the capture of nearly 8,000 pounds of cocaine in a single mission.
The administration’s campaign of targeted airstrikes against cartel vessels, resulting in the destruction of 16 boats and the deaths of 67 suspects, has sparked both praise and concern. Supporters view these results as a long-overdue answer to years of unchecked illegal activity and a direct response to conservative demands for secure borders and enforcement of the law.
These achievements are credited to policies that reject appeasement and prioritize operational control of U.S. borders. Adm. Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, stated that the historic amount of cocaine seized “shows we are defeating narco-terrorist and cartel operations to protect our communities and keep dangerous drugs off our streets.”
The administration has also coordinated efforts with the Navy, SOUTHCOM, and the DEA, leveraging intelligence and advanced technology to outpace smugglers’ evolving tactics.
Controversy and Criticism: Legal and Human Rights Perspectives
While the new enforcement tactics have won support among conservative Americans, legal scholars and international organizations have raised questions regarding the use of lethal force during maritime operations. Some experts argue that the airstrikes and destruction of smuggling craft may test the boundaries of international law and invite scrutiny from human rights advocates.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for investigations into the incidents involving deaths at sea, while critics in the legal community warn of possible escalation and diplomatic friction.
How Coast Guard pilots and sharpshooters leave drug boats dead in the water, from helicopter chases to shooting out the engines https://t.co/BFBTbYP28k
— Sam Thomas (@Ugomego) November 26, 2025
Despite these concerns, the administration and its supporters maintain that only decisive, constitutionally-aligned action can safeguard American families and preserve national sovereignty. They argue that the previous administration’s policies allowed cartels to flourish, burdening communities with crime and addiction.
With the Coast Guard’s new mandate, the message is clear: American waters will not serve as a highway for cartel operations, and those threatening the nation’s security will face forceful resistance.
Stakeholders and the Path Forward
The Coast Guard leads the way in this historic campaign, with support from the Navy, DEA, and Department of Homeland Security. Cartels and narco-terrorist organizations now face unprecedented operational risks and financial losses, while U.S. communities see reduced drug availability and enhanced protection.
The administration’s stance resonates with Americans who demand a government that defends its borders, upholds the rule of law, and rejects globalist agendas that compromise national security. As these aggressive tactics continue, ongoing debate over their legal and ethical implications may shape future operations, but the Coast Guard’s mission—protecting the homeland—remains unchanged.
Sources:
Coast Guard Uses ‘Ship in a Box’ to Train for Boarding Drug Boats
Coast Guard Sets Historic Record with Amount of Cocaine Seized in FY25
U.S. Coast Guard, USS Sampson Conduct Drug Interdiction in Eastern Pacific
US Coast Guard Reports Best Year Ever for Cocaine Interdiction