The SPSS Drug Smuggling Ships (VIDEO)

Friends of Ours ^

[AtlasStalled]

David Kushner from The New York Times reports on the increasing use by Colombian cocaine traffickers of self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) water craft to ship their loads into the United States:

This kind of vessel — a self-propelled, semisubmersible made by hand in the jungles of Colombia — is no longer quite so mythic: four were intercepted in January alone. But because of their ability to elude radar systems, these subs are almost impossible to detect; only an estimated 14 percent of them are stopped. And perhaps as many as 70 of them will be made this year, up from 45 or so in 2007, according to a task-force spokesman. Made for as little as $500,000 each and assembled in fewer than 90 days, they are now thought to carry nearly 30 percent of Colombia’s total cocaine exports.

[Ancient Drive]

wow... they tried this with marihuana but it didn’t work. the smoke stack could be seen for miles. rofl

[Tarpon]

All the terrorist need is the will ...

[Paladin2]

Innovative.

[Paladin2]

It's interesting the the news report indicated that such a vessel is outlawed.

Just goes to show that passing laws doesn't change much, though some believe that at least they are doing something.

[Cold Heart]

I wonder if the law includes low profile duck hunting boats?

[bitterohiogunclinger]

Stealthy visually and on radar perhaps, but I'd bet a weeks pay they stick out like a sore thumb on sonar. Time for a bit of Navy target practice. Of course we need to roll out some less expensive torpedoes. I wonder why the enviro nazi’s aren't up in arms over the smugglers dumping drugs in the ocean? And just how does Congress get to decide that certain vessels are illegal?

[Paladin2]

Windsurfer boards without a sail? Personal submarines?

[Kenny Bunk]

Speaking of sore thumbs, how stealthy could these yachts be in the clear waters of the keys, the Caribbean, or the Gulf?

Need more specs. Hull material? Power? Speed? Any armament? An anti-tank rocket into a CG cutter could wreak havoc.

And, what exactly do you charge the crew with after they scuttle the damn thing, taking the evidentiary contraband to the bottom? Why not real subs?

[az_gila]

It's interesting the the news report indicated that such a vessel is outlawed.
Just goes to show that passing laws doesn't change much, though some believe that at least they are doing something.

---

Apparently the law is based more on the vessel not having a “nationality” in US waters —

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.3351:

[JimRed]

I wonder why the enviro nazi’s aren't up in arms over the smugglers dumping drugs in the ocean?

They don't want their supply interrupted.

[mo]

Hmmm..I’ve got some ideas..dya suppose the DEA will pay a bounty for successful interception???

[ErnBatavia]

And, what exactly do you charge the crew with after they scuttle the damn thing, taking the evidentiary contraband to the bottom?

I saw a televised piece on these things a couple of nights ago......they're able to scuttle within seconds, and the "crew" gets a free ride home.

The Coast Guard admits that with the zillions of square miles, they'd have to be pretty much on top of one to spot it, and very fortunate to be able to snag it.

[wideminded]

When the article said “self-propelled”, for some reason I was thinking it might be a robotic vehicle with no crew. Maybe that’s the next step.

[dhm914]

i think it means it is not towed. i under stand early version were towed behind and below regular boats. now apparently they have there own motors

[Paladin2]

They could gig ‘em on on having no navigation lights. No “papers” for the crew. Carrying contraband. There’s all sorts of extant law they could use. But no, they needed something additional?

[Paladin2]

"DEA will pay a bounty for successful interception"

Letter of Marque. It's in the Constitution. Good luck getting a 'rat Congress to go along.

[Calpernia]

Drug sub

[Tax-chick]

drug interdiction ping

[Ancient Drive]

yup. must be shocking for MSM to see criminals break the laws... lol