Coast Guard I am impressed

Interesting that the sub's crew didn't scuttle this vessel to avoid arrest. Think that they're more afraid of the Columbian Drug lords than they are of the American Justice system? Does anyone know what happens to this crew if they're picked up in international waters?

They would die if they scuttle it. They’re arrested.
 
Not sure in this case but in the past many of the drug smuggling "submarines" are actually Semi-submersibles where most of the vessel is underwater but there is no actual capability to dive. Looking again at the video, it appears to me to be a very low freeboard surface vessel.

Right, more of an ironclad than a sub.
 
A point to remember is that these "semi-submersibles" have VERY limited sight lines. A lot of times when approached the crews do not even know there is a Law Enforcement asset out there, let alone one close by. They are inside a steel tube with a diesel engine and mechanical noises so loud you can hardly hear inside let alone hear someone you can't see yelling at you. They are given a GPS, steer a course and if caught it is "normally" considered the cost of doing business by the Cartels. I have no idea right now, but back in the 80"s, 90's, and early 2000's if Worldwide Anti Narcotics units (including DEA, US Customs, and USCG) caught 20% of the narcotics destined for the US it was considered a VERY GOOD YEAR! And almost NEVER is the money going back caught unless someone inside the operation talks or undercover is successful. Overall, not even a dent in the overall supply, waterborne deliveries are but a small component of narcotics smuggling, they also still use airplanes, and commercial modes are where the really large loads are found, if they are found. So all the hype of CG and Navy assets and their "big" seizures is only a dent in the overall amount coming into this country.
 
My second cousin graduated USCGA 2004. His second billet was as liaison to obtain permission to board foreign flagged vessels. So as of 2009 that was the process for flagged vessels.

My BM3 son is USCG in the Persian Gulf now. Story I can't relate, but I can confirm that any un-flagged vessel may be boarded at any time.
 
I have no idea right now, but back in the 80"s, 90's, and early 2000's if Worldwide Anti Narcotics units (including DEA, US Customs, and USCG) caught 20% of the narcotics destined for the US it was considered a VERY GOOD YEAR! And almost NEVER is the money going back caught unless someone inside the operation talks or undercover is successful. Overall, not even a dent in the overall supply, waterborne deliveries are but a small component of narcotics smuggling, they also still use airplanes, and commercial modes are where the really large loads are found, if they are found. So all the hype of CG and Navy assets and their "big" seizures is only a dent in the overall amount coming into this country.

Yep, as I wrote above, the coke bust on the USS Bowen was the largest joint USN/USCG cocaine seizure up to that point. We were told the same. "While you were stopping this boat and its cargo, many more tons were running right past you." The war of drugs has been a huge failure.
 
It has been a while, but shooting at or seizing a foreign vessel in international waters used to be a long arduous process

Since this was a law enforcement action they would likely need to hold the boat as evidence in the event of a trial.

Do you think the USCG towed this vessel to the nearest port? I pretty sure they "lit it up" as soon as the crew/cargo was removed.
 
My second cousin graduated USCGA 2004. His second billet was as liaison to obtain permission to board foreign flagged vessels. So as of 2009 that was the process for flagged vessels.

My BM3 son is USCG in the Persian Gulf now. Story I can't relate, but I can confirm that any un-flagged vessel may be boarded at any time.

"Stateless" vessels under international law may be boarded at any time by any nation to determine nationality and prevent piracy, but it used to be once nationality was determined at boarding then "normal" SNO procedures applied.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to know about the Right of Approach - which is a right of investigation of the flag. A warship may intercept a vessel, inspect it from a safe distance to determine its name, flag, and home port, receive and review any data the vessel might be emitting from its automatic identification system. Also, if there is no response, then there are the rights to visit and to board. Therefore, for a vessel without flag, there is still the risk of being approached by the military vessels or certain governmental vessels (Article 110 UNCLOS).
 
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