Navy's Operation Southern Spear and Efforts to Combat Drug Smuggling
Sen. Roger Marshall calls on military to stop flying aircraft near Washington, D.C. airport due to collision. Navy launches Operation Southern Spear using maritime drones to combat drug smugglers in America's waters. Efforts to disrupt human and drug trafficking at the southern border continue.
Key Points
- Increase in drug seizures at sea compared to land borders.
- Joint Task Force South collaboration involving Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and partner countries.
- Deployment of high-endurance Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicles for surveillance.
- Focus on disrupting human and drug trafficking at the southern border.
- Use of maritime drones to fill surveillance gaps and combat maritime smuggling.
Pros
- Utilizing advanced technology like maritime drones to enhance border security and combat drug smuggling.
- Cooperation between various agencies and partner countries to address counter-narcotics and maritime security issues.
Cons
- Potential challenges in covering vast maritime areas with limited surveillance resources.
- Dependence on contractor-operated surveillance platforms raises questions about data ownership and control.