Part 2/17:
A recurring theme in recent maritime interdiction operations is the mischaracterization of ships involved in drug trafficking. Critics have pointed out that many vessels targeted in these strikes are not legitimate fishing boats. Unlike genuine fishing vessels, these ships are often equipped with multiple high-powered outboard motors, sometimes costing upwards of $60,000 to $90,000 each, which are unnecessary and implausible for fishing purposes. Additionally, these boats lack the typical riggings and canopies that would be present on a traditional fishing vessel, suggesting their real purpose is trafficking rather than fishing. This evidence strongly indicates that these targeted boats are, in fact, working for drug traffickers, particularly those involved in sophisticated smuggling operations.