Smuggling of Illegal Narcotics
It is factual that smuggling has been one of the major concerns by the law enforcers especially along the California coastline. For instance, back in 2012, federal agents retrieved marijuana that was estimated to have a value of more than $1 million from seven men who were smuggling the drug through California coast (Kandel, 2012). Smugglers have been using open hull panga, the boats that are typically used for recreational purposes. The presumption of the smugglers is that it is difficult for the border patrol to suspect trafficking in recreational vessel. It is noteworthy that smugglers not only transport narcotics but also illegal immigrants. For example, citing from a case that was reported in Los Angeles Times on December 9th 2012, an open hull panga was spotted along Santa Barbara coast ferrying bales of marijuana and a considerable number of immigrants. In another case, 130 bales of marijuana were recovered together with 3 U.S citizens and four Mexicans arrested at north of California coast (Kandel, 2012). Since 2011, cases of drug smuggling have increased where the recent cases include even human trafficking. This has resulted to a tremendous increase of illegal immigrants and drug abuse in the country. In one year from 2011 to 2012, smuggling cases that were recorded in southern California were more than 170. Precisely, more than 100,000 pounds of smuggled narcotics were seized in 2011 alone (Kandel, 2012). Furthermore, smuggling has resulted to the deaths of officers especially who patrol the coastline for inspection (Faturechi, 2012). One of the cases include the death of Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III who was a coast guard murdered on December 2012 by a group of suspected smugglers (Faturechi, 2012). This was a reminder on the growing threat of smuggling along the coastline.
The City of Los Angeles Government has continued to withhold the drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E) program that focuses on preventing controlled drugs abuse and engaging in violent behaviors (Cima, 2015). Precisely, D.A.R.E was founded back in 1983 by Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Unified School District. The program focused on accommodating students who pledged to avoid controlled drug use, join gang member or engage in violent behavior (Cima, 2015). However, regardless of the fact that D.A.R.E is still sponsored today by LAPD, it is perceptible that it has declined significantly. Citing from its operating revenue, the program has declined from more than $10 million in the past decade to approximately $3 million currently (Cima, 2015). This has been resulted by the discredited effectiveness of the initiative. The major concerns of the program include resistance to drug abuse and self-esteem especially for the students. However, it is undeniable that the success rate of the program is lower in the contemporary society as it does not have any effect on the number of drug abuse cases in Los Angeles (Cima, 2015). Research indicated that students who were in the program were not less likely to use controlled drugs that students were not in D.A.R.E. In the contemporary society, D.A.R.E has extended to mental health concern focusing on decision making skills. Additionally, it appears that the program is being replaced with an initiative recognized as “keepin’ it REAL” which is encouraging youths to be honest and responsible as a strategy of reducing drug abuse risk (Cima, 2015).
The U.S military has been participating in the Interagency Task Force (JIATF) south whose mission is to inspect and detect illegal trafficking and other types of threats along the coastline (Phillips, 2012). The operation of the unit involves monitoring the activities in the coastal areas and shares the details to facilitate law enforcement while intervening illegal trafficking. JIATF is a component of SOUTHCOM which is composed of federal agencies and military groups (Phillips, 2012). In the year 2012, the unit succeeded in disrupting trafficking of more than 110 metric tons of cocaine worth of approximately $2 billion before it could arrive at the target destinations. Additionally, the unit has engaged in operations that have enabled recovery of more than $20 million in cash and more than $15 million worth of black market goods destined for trafficking in United States (Phillips, 2012). According to Jody Draves, the spokesperson of JIATF, the unit has successively disrupted trafficking of more than 100,000 kilograms of cocaine and more than 10,000 pounds of marijuana (Phillips, 2012). The value of the retrieved drugs destined to be trafficked in United States is more than $15 million annually since 2012. From January to August back in 2012, more than 220 arrests were made along with the narcotics recovered after seizing more than 40 suspected vessels (Phillips, 2012). Precisely, the interdictions are conducted by the coast guards unit whereas the monitoring and detection of drug trafficking is led by Operation Martillo federal agency. The success of the units can be cited from the use of naval aviation aircraft in monitoring and intercepting the suspected vessels and their cargos (Phillips, 2012). The units use both aircrafts and water vessels to provide both air and waterborne surveillance of the suspected vessels. Generally, it is exhibited that the task for the anti-drug unit is becoming hard as the demand for drugs in United States is increasing. However, with the success that Operation Martillo exhibits, there is future guarantee that the unit will successfully control drug trafficking (Phillips, 2012).
According to CNBC (2010), one of the effective ways of tackling drug trafficking and abuse is through drug legalization. For instance, marijuana is the major cash crop in 12 states and among the top five major cash crops in 39 states. In additional, marijuana is among the greatest income producers in United States. As a matter of fact, among the agricultural products, marijuana is the greatest revenue generator, producing more than $36 billion annually (CNBC, 2010). The contention about the effectiveness of drug legalization is based on the fact that prohibition as can be cited from alcohol prohibition back in early 20th century does not work effectively. Ironically, alcohol prohibition resulted to increasing rates of crimes, deaths and addiction (CNBC, 2010). The society fails to understand that prohibition does not shield people from drug abuse. As a matter of fact, prohibition produces the reverse effect where instead of deterring people from drug use, it attracts their attention (Rios, 2012).
However, it is undeniable that drug legalization will result to the increase in drug abuse which will in return lead to violence, extortion and robbery among other crimes related to drug abuse (Rios, 2012). It is factual that legalization of drugs will force the cartels out of the drug business obliging them to engage in other crimes. Furthermore, the rate of unemployment for the young uneducated youths will increase which means that it will result to tremendous increase of other crimes (Rios, 2012). It can also be argued that drug legalization will create an easier way for criminals to secure a legal job. Precisely, drug legalization will change the definition of drug cartel from a criminal to legal business.
Conclusion
Smuggling has been on an increase in California coast as cases of both human and drug trafficking are reported persistently. Smugglers have been using water vessels such as open hull panga, a recreational boat that coast guards cannot suspect easily. Back in 2012, approximately 130 bags of marijuana were recovered and 3 illegal immigrants arrested. The cases of smuggling have been on a tremendous increase since 2011 reaching up to more than 170 cases annually. In these annual cases, more than 100,000 pounds of narcotic drugs are recovered. Apart from bringing drugs to the country, drug trafficking has resulted to other drawbacks such as deaths of the coast guard officers and increasing crime rates. One of the campaigns sponsored by the Los Angeles Police Department includes D.A.R.E which was initiated back in 1983. The mission of the program was to engage students in an initiative that prevented them from drug abuse, gang membership and violence conduct. However, the effectiveness of the campaign has been decreasing which is the reason behind its replacement with another initiative known as “keepin’ it REAL”. On the other hand, the anti-drug unit by the local law enforcement agency is Interagency Task Force (JIATF), a component of SOUTHCOM. The unit has succeeded in monitoring and recovering narcotics, cash and illegal immigrants. With this effective operation, it is guaranteed that smuggling will be controlled in future regardless of the increasing demand of drugs in the country.
References
Cima, R. (2015). D.A.R.E: The Anti-Drug Program That Never Actually Worked. Priceconomics. Retrieved from https://priceonomics.com/dare-the-anti-drug-program-that-never-actually/
CNBC, (2010). Legalization Will Reduce Crime, Free Up Police Resources. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/36201668
Faturechi, R. (2012). Coast Guard Officer Killed On The Job Is Remembered. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/09/local/la-me-1209-coast-guard-20121209
Kandel, J. (2012). Drug Smuggling Try Off Catalina Island Highlights New Trend. CNBC. Retrieved from http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Marijuana-Smuggling-Panga-Mexican-Fishing-Boat-Catalina-167330145.html
Phillips, J. (2012). A Hunting We Will Go: Naval Air Trucks Drug Smugglers. Naval Aviation News.
Rios, V. (2012). Drug legalization could create more crime. International New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/05/30/should-latin-america-end-the-war-on-drugs/drug-legalization-could-create-more-crime
