How Traffickers Are Adapting To the New American War on Drugs

While military strikes are expanding to narco-subs and to the Pacific, South American drug traffickers still have plenty of cards to play.

The US war on drug traffickers has expanded to two oceans.

On October 21 and 22, American assets destroyed two boats allegedly carrying cocaine in the Pacific Ocean. All previous strikes, including seven go-fast boats and a narco-submarine, had been in the Caribbean.

Since these strikes began, 37 people have died from at least three countries (Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago), all without evidence or charges. None of their names have been widely reported.

But despite indications of a drop in go-fast launches from the Venezuelan coast, drug trafficking groups will not retreat for long. Strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific limit their options, but there are still plenty of likely responses to contemplate.

Source: AFP

Here, World of Crime looks at eight potential responses by criminal groups.