US Coast Guard Operation Southern Spear, a massive crackdown on maritime smuggling, has made headlines with its latest results. Over the past few weeks, 67 small fishing boats were intercepted and seized in a bid to disrupt the flow of illicit substances into the country. However, despite the significant numbers of vessels targeted, authorities have reported that the operation has yet to have a noticeable impact on the supply of fentanyl and cocaine. As the US continues to grapple with the devastating opioid crisis and skyrocketing rates of cocaine-related overdoses, the question remains: is Operation Southern Spear effective in its mission to stem the tide of illicit substances?
Operation Southern Spear has struck 67 small fishing boats without denting the fentanyl or cocaine supply.
