Jeffrey Lewis authored an article for MarineLink exploring the evolution of U.S. maritime drug interdiction operations and the legal and policy implications of recent military strikes targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels. He compared the Coast Guard's longstanding role as the primary agency responsible for at-sea enforcement with the current use of Department of Defense military assets to conduct interdiction operations in international waters. The article examines key differences in authority, evidence gathering, jurisdiction, and accountability, while analyzing concerns under U.S. law and international maritime law. He also discusses reports questioning the effectiveness of the military-led approach and considers whether it represents a departure from traditional law enforcement principles that have historically guided U.S. maritime interdiction efforts.
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