I am pleased to share with you a guest post from my fellow Admiral and blogger, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen. I recommend you check out and subscribe to his blog at http://www.uscg.mil/comdt/blog/.

Transnational threats require transnational solutions:

Last week I participated in the 1^st Maritime Counter Drug Symposium of the Americas.  The gathering was co-sponsored by the Colombian Navy and the U.S. Southern Command, with COLNAV Admiral Guillermo Barrera-Hurtado, Ambassador Paul Trivelli (SOUTHCOM Civilian Deputy to the Commander), and RADM Joe Nimmich (Director, JIATF-South) leading their respective delegations.  Participation included navy and coast guard executives from more than two dozen nations spanning the entire Western Hemisphere.  The intent of the meeting was to discuss strategy and develop improved means of cooperation against illegal maritime drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking is a transnational threat supported by criminal networks that are agnostic to borders.  These groups attempt to exploit the vastness of the maritime domain to transport and deliver their deadly cargo.  The only effective response is an internationally coordinated effort that systematically shuts down routes and means of conveyance through effective legal regimes, bi and multi-lateral agreements, joint operations, and information and intelligence sharing.  All of these areas were the topic of working groups during the symposium to improve the level and effectiveness of our international effort.

Across the board we have seen examples of how improved international coordination is ratcheting up the pressure on the smugglers.  Colombia and Ecuador have been especially committed to working with their U.S. counterparts, accounting for about one-quarter of the cocaine seized this year.  Mexico has had great success recently.  On 16 July, 2008, they seized a Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS), first located by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection P-3, with more than 6 tons of cocaine.  On 15 Sept, 2008, Mexican officials relieved a USCG boarding team to conduct a dockside boarding on a Mexican fishing vessel and located 3.5 tons of cocaine in a hidden compartment.  These are just a few examples of how the international community is working together against drug smugglers with great effect.

As a result of the joint success we are having, particularly under the leadership of Admiral Stavridis and his team at U.S. Southern Command and JIATF-South, we are seeing drug smugglers change their tactics.  One example is the significant increase in the use of SPSS smuggling vessels.  We cannot rest on our recent success, but must continually be looking toward the future to adapt our strategy and tactics to keep pressure on the criminals.  The most significant take-away from this symposium specifically addresses this need.  The participants have all agreed in principle to establish an International Center for Maritime and Riverine Interdiction of Drug Trafficking and Other Illicit Activity headquartered in Cartagena, Colombia.  This center would have two functions: as a regional analysis and fusion center for drug trafficking information, and as an international school for maritime interdiction.  This proposal was received with great interest by all of the participants, who signed a joint statement declaring their intent to work with the Colombian Navy to plan and develop this center.

I strongly support this proposal as it would significantly contribute improved regional cooperation and coordination and increase our collective capacity and capability to counter transnational criminals.  It is also a great example of our cooperative maritime strategy at work.  That document calls for the sea services to “…become adept at forging international partnerships in coordination with the other U.S. services and government departments. To this end, the Global Maritime Partnerships initiative seeks a cooperative approach to maritime security, promoting the rule of law by countering piracy, terrorism, weapons proliferation, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.”

My personal thanks to the leadership of  Admiral Guillermo Barrera-Hurtado, Commander of the Colombian Navy, for planning and hosting this ground breaking symposium!