The illegal production and trafficking of drugs undermines security and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens U.S. national security.  The threat can only be combated through cooperation and collaboration between partner nations.  U.S. Southern Command works with partner nations and U.S. law enforcement agencies to reduce the drug threat. 

Did you know…   90% of the cocaine and 47% of the heroin that reaches the U.S. emanates or passes through Colombia. Illicit drugs kill more than 21,000 American citizens each year and result in the loss of more than $160 billion in revenue.

Stats: SOUTHCOM-coordinated efforts disrupted the flow of more than 215 metric tons of cocaine in 2009.  Similar numbers were recorded in 2007 and 2008 when counter drug efforts helped to intercept more than 200 metric tons in each year.

See more about: »  SOUTHCOM support to Colombia »  Forward Operating Locations »  The Semi-submersible threat

Related links of interest:   Office of Nat’l Drug Control Policy links »  President’s Nat’l Drug Control Strategy »  Cocaine sources »  Heroin sources »  Interdiction operations   State Department »  2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)

SOUTHCOM strives to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States by supporting the region’s multinational effort to combat narcoterrorism, threats to legitimate governments, and dangers that are the direct result of the production and sale of those drugs. SOUTHCOM missions to combat this threat are two fold.  Counter Drug operations involve the detection, monitoring, tracking and interdiction of drug runners.  Counter Narcoterrorism operations are those where U.S. military forces provide support to partner nations that are combating narcoterrorist groups within their borders.

Counter Drug

U.S. Southern Command collaborates with other agencies and nations to detect, monitor, and support the interdiction, disruption or curtailment of present and emerging drug-related threats in its area of focus. All efforts are in concert with the National Drug Control Strategy.

Detection and monitoring

The Department of Defense is the lead federal agency in efforts to detect and monitor aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs towards the United States. The Key West, Fla.-based Joint Interagency Task Force-South  is the SOUTHCOM agency that serves as the catalyst for integrated and synchronized interagency counter drug operations, and is responsible for the detection and monitoring of suspect air and maritime drug activity in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific. JIATF-South also collects, processes, and disseminates counter drug information for interagency and partner nation operations.

The U.S. military commits a variety of forces in the region to support detection and monitoring efforts. 

MARITIME: Normally, U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard and partner nation (British, French, Dutch, Canadian and Colombian) ships patrol the waters in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific on a year-round basis.  Embarked on U.S., and at times partner nation naval vessels, is a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment that takes the lead during operations to board suspected vessels, seize illegal drugs, and arrest suspects.  Also, a Navy helicopter squadron detachment is on board to assist in detection and monitoring.

AIR: SOUTHCOM utilizes U.S. military, interagency and partner nation aircraft that are strategically located throughout the area of focus and at two Forward Operating Locations in Comalapa, El Salvador and Curcao, Aruba. (see more on FOL operations)  These aircraft, in cooperation with partner nations and U.S. agencies, fly persistent missions to monitor areas with a history of illicit trafficking.  The U.S. military aircraft offer unique surveillance capabilities that compliment the counter drug efforts of U.S. and partner nation law enforcement agencies.

OTHER: SOUTHCOM also provides support to partner nations through training, information sharing, and technological and resource assistance.

Interdiction

Using information gathered by SOUTHCOM-coordinated operations, U.S. law enforcement agencies and partner nations take the lead in interdicting drug runners.  U.S. military interdiction involvement, if any, is in support of those law enforcement agencies.  Typically, U.S. military personnel are directly involved in supporting an interdiction during maritime operations in international waters, where U.S. Navy ships and helicopters patrol and intercept suspected traffickers.  The actual interdictions – boarding, search and seizures, and arrests – are led and conducted by the embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments, or partner nation Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEA’s). 

Counter Narcoterrorism

The governments and citizens of the region have displayed incredible courage in the face of the threats posed by narcoterrorist groups. Many governments are committed to defending their democratic institutions, protecting its citizens and restoring security, stability and the rule of law across the country.  

Trafficking involves not only drugs, but arms, contraband and persons. Criminal elements and gangs provide logistic support, safe havens, and security for the traffickers as they move through the countries of the region.

SOUTHCOM-directed U.S. military forces assist governments and public security forces in the region face these threats within their borders by:

»  Training partner nation forces who are leading the fight against narcoterrorists.

»  Providing planning assistance and advice.

»  Providing nonlethal equipment, including helicopter support, intelligence platforms, and command & control systems (Key that we don’t supply ammunition, other than training ammunition, or any other lethal aid.)

»  Helping nations develop human rights policy and programs.

»  Sponsoring multinational counter drug and counter-terrorism training exercises. 

SOUTHCOM’s largest counter narcoterrorism effort is in Colombia, where nearly 400 U.S. military personnel are providing support in the areas of training, logistics and intelligence (see more on Colombia support).