"The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted and destroyed a drug boat during Operation Pacific Viper, seizing nearly 13,000 pounds of cocaine and detaining seven suspected smugglers."
Once they "seize" this stuff, what happens to it?
My alternative proposal:
a. Destroy the contraband on-the-spot. Burn it, sink it, make it disappear. Take pics and video.
b. The "seven smugglers"? Take their pics, find out what cartel they were working for.
c. Release them (yes, you read that right) back to Mexico, Venezuela, wherever they came from.
d. Now send a message to the cartel bosses to wit, "look how good a job these flunkies did for you -- they lost both your shipment and your ship".
e. After doing that, I have a prediction these guys won't be around very long...