MILITARY DRUG INTERDICTION
There are ongoing debates among lawyers about the legality and extent of military force in stopping criminal activity and the transportation of illicit drugs. A serious and complex issue, the answer is not black and white, but ideally should not be politicized. Our government spent years and millions of dollars to stem the flow of drugs into our country, yet illegal drugs have resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of American lives and continue to cause harm.
The Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) located in Key West, Florida, in conjunction with partner nations, has a declared mission to detect, monitor, and target illicit drug trafficking in the air and maritime domain. Their goal is to achieve 100% awareness and facilitate the interdiction and apprehension of drug trafficking. Success is measured in reducing the flow of drugs and degrading and dismantling transnational criminal organizations posing a threat to national security and regional stability.
During my Navy service, I visited JIATF headquarters and watched intelligence footage showing numerous vessels transporting drugs. The sheer scale was stunning, and technology has made this process even more advanced today. We must be more determined.
When asked, for all the effort, what were the results? The answer, we are maintaining price equilibrium. By removing a small percentage of drugs from the system (5-7%), we keep supply and demand in check, preventing oversupply and falling prices that could boost demand. In amazement, say again, please? The point is, with imposed limitations on interdiction, current efforts only make a small dent in drug trafficking.
The Trump Administration offered a different approach. Determined to save American lives, they changed the rules to disrupt supply and dismantle the top of the chain. By threatening severe consequences for traffickers, the business became far riskier, targeting both assets and leadership within these organizations. Those who dare to transport illicit drugs face the threat of death. Trafficking has become a suicide mission. Stopping the flow, eliminating assets, and dismantling the leadership will drive results. The War on Drugs is a War declared in the 1970’s. There has been bipartisan support. It’s international in scope with cooperation and military interdiction. Drug cartels are adversarial combatants. Rules of Engagement underwent legal review. At the War College, we studied warfare's grim reality throughout history. War is a horrific, despicable event, lives are lost and treasure is wasted. The alternative can be worse.
Nothing before has seriously impacted drug flow. How many generations of our youth will die? A choice of eradication over price equilibrium? As parents, would you not prefer decisive action that protects children rather than protecting criminals?
In my opinion, politicians who create doubt about military members’ execution of orders for political gain are wrong. It is dangerous. Such commentary can lead to mission failure and risk lives. If precedent is a factor, start with President Truman and each CINC since for the legality of orders. If you truly believe laws are broken, have a private conversation or hearing with CJCS or SecWar expressing concern, not in the public domain for political consumption. In a military context, the priority must always be unity and trust. Political rhetoric should never translate into operational hesitation or confusion.
It makes you think, in a military mission environment, could you count on others to have your back or would they pause and question? I think I know. I would like to believe political rhetoric is only that and not some kind of inferred “stand down order.” Regardless, it has no place in a military context.
Charles Williams
Former Asst. Navy Secretary