Operation Martillo

The United States Southern Command's (SOUTHCOM) Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South), based in Key West, Florida{{Cite web|url=http://www.southcom.mil/Media/Special-Coverage/Operation-Martillo/|title=Operation Martillo|website=www.southcom.mil|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-14}}

File:Helicopter takes off from USS Rentz 130921-N-IC228-005.jpg helicopter takes off from {{USS|Rentz|FFG-46|6}}]]

Land-based support by the Belize Defense Force and Police with additional support from Canada.{{cite web |url= http://www.coha.org/belize-on-drug-trafficking/ |title= Belize on Drug Trafficking |publisher=Council on Hemispheric Affairs |date=4 February 2015}}

The Canadian participation in the operation, which began in 2006 has been given the code name Operation Caribbe given the object of eliminating illegal trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean by organized crime and includes air and sea forces deployed on a rotational basis.

File:130920-G-DX440-048 (9949414845).jpg, 2013]]

The world’s largest producer of cocaine. A DH-8 aircraft employed in Operation Martillo crashed in Colombia in October 2013, killing three Americans and one Panamanian operative.{{cite web |url= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/467268/airman-killed-conducting-operations-in-colombia/ |title= Airman killed conducting operations in Colombia |publisher=US Air Force |date=9 October 2013}}

In May 2015, Colombia announced it was stopping using a controversial herbicide to destroy plantations of coca following a warning by the World Health Organization (WHO) that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33374917 |title= Colombia coca leaf production up by 44% - UN |publisher=BBC |date=2 July 2015}}

A major conduit through which the cocaine traffic moves towards the United States with the Costa Rica Security Ministry predicting a huge increase to 1,700 tons moving through the country in 2016.{{cite web |url= http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/centam-drug-initiative-boasts-questionable-victories-entering-fifth-year |title= CentAm Drug Initiative Boasts Questionable Victories in 5th Year |publisher=Insight Crime |date=1 April 2016}}

Granting permission for U.S. forces to use El Salvador as a base in the hunt for illegal drug shipments has allowed groups like Patrol Squadron 8 to fly missions from the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/operation-martillo-hammer/ |title=Operation Martillo (Hammer) |publisher=Defence Media Network |date=31 August 2012}}

Land-based operations, with the country permitting US Marines to join in the fight against drugs.{{cite web |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/news/200-us-marines-join-drug-war-in-guatemala/ |title=200 US Marines join drug war in Guatemala |publisher=CBS News |date=30 August 2012}} These operations extended into coastal littorals and involved multi-national partners.{{Cite web |title=After partnering to disrupt trafficking, Detachment Martillo departs Guatemala |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/553273/after-partnering-to-disrupt-trafficking-detachment-martillo-departs-guatemala/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hqmc.marines.mil%2FNews%2FNews-Article-Display%2FArticle%2F553273%2Fafter-partnering-to-disrupt-trafficking-detachment-martillo-departs-guatemala%2F |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=United States Marine Corps Flagship |language=en-US}}

The Honduran Navy and US Coast Guard intercepted a sinking self-propelled semi-submersible vessel in March 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.hondurasnews.com/operation-martillo-in-honduras-a-success/ |title=Honduras Participation in Operation Martillo a Success |publisher=Honduras News |date=2 September 2013}}

File:Hr.Ms. ZEELAND (14973383978).jpg

The Royal Netherlands Navy deployed ships,{{cite web |url= http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/47729/royal-netherlands-navy-conducts-operation-martillo/ |title= Royal Netherlands Navy Conducts Operation Martillo |publisher=World Maritime News |date=22 February 2012}} with aircraft from the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.{{cite web|url= http://smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/7434-dutch-navy-led-operation-results-in-500kg-cocaine-drug-bust.html |title= Dutch Navy led operation results in 500kg cocaine drug bust. |publisher=St Maarten News |date=5 April 2012}} A parallel operation Operation Caribbean Venture under the command of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean works closely with JIATF-South and has the same objectives as Operation Martillo. {{HNLMS|Friesland|P842|6}} and {{HNLMS|Zeeland|P841|6}} have successfully participated in the operation.

Nicaraguan army small craft, assisted by the US Coast Guard intercepted US $32 million worth of cocaine in June 2012,{{cite web |url= https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-us-nicaraguan-forces-seize-us32m-cocaine |title= Operation Martillo: US, Nicaraguan forces seize US$32M in cocaine |publisher= Digital Military Magazine |date= 15 June 2012 |access-date= 29 March 2017 |archive-date= 30 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170330010449/https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-us-nicaraguan-forces-seize-us32m-cocaine |url-status= dead }} and a further 9.2 million in November 2014.{{cite web |url= http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/142190/cocaine-haul-seized-off-nicaragua/ |title=Cocaine Haul seized off Nicaragua |publisher=World Maritime News |date=5 November 2014}}

In 2012 Panama authorities seized 15.5 tons of drugs.{{cite web |url= https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-panamanian-us-forces-seize-huge-drug-cargo |title= Operation Martillo: Panamanian, U.S. forces seize huge drug cargo |publisher= Digital Military Magazine |date= 9 August 2012 |access-date= 29 March 2017 |archive-date= 30 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170330003128/https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-panamanian-us-forces-seize-huge-drug-cargo |url-status= dead }} In April 2013 a further US $242 million of cocaine was seized on a go-fast boat.{{cite web |url= http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/04/23/boat-carrying-242m-in-coke-intercepted-off-the-coast-of-panama/ |title= Boat Carrying $242M In Coke Intercepted Off The Coast Of Panama |publisher=CBS Miami |date=23 April 2013}}

File:RFA Wave Knight (A389) - Grenada - Lesser Antilles (Caribbees) - 13 Sept. 2013.jpg

Spain provides ships, aircraft, and liaison officers.{{cite web |url=http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2015-06-16_-_coast_guard_hearing_ssm.pdf |title=Hearing on "Western Hemisphere Drug Interdiction Efforts" |date=12 June 2015 |publisher=US House of Representatives}}

Royal Navy resources undertaking maritime security operations. Ships involved include {{HMS|Argyll|F231|6}} which seized US $128 million worth of drugs in 2013,{{cite web |url= https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-uk-royal-navy-argyll-rejoins-mission |title= Operation MARTILLO: UK Royal Navy Argyll rejoins mission |publisher= Dialogo |date= 25 July 2014 |access-date= 29 March 2017 |archive-date= 30 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170330005233/https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/operation-martillo-uk-royal-navy-argyll-rejoins-mission |url-status= dead }} and {{ship|RFA|Wave Knight|A389|6}} which seized £60 million or 1.25 tons of cocaine with the US Coast Guard in 2014.{{cite web |url= http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/royal-navy-crew-join-60m-caribbean-cocaine-bust-1434287 |title= Royal Navy Crew Join £60m Caribbean Cocaine Bust |work=International Business Times |date=29 January 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/14/royal-yacht-it-is-not-prince-harry-to-sleep-on-tanker-vessel-dur/ |title=Royal Yacht it is not: Prince Harry to sleep on tanker vessel during Caribbean tour |publisher=The Telegraph |date=14 November 2016}}

In addition to SOUTHCOM, the United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Forces all provide resources for the operation, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration and various law enforcement agencies. In December 2022 the USNS Comfort arrived in Haiti.

Between January 2012 and April 2013, the operation intercepted 171 tons of cocaine and 28,000 pounds of marijuana; detained 411 criminal suspects; recovered US $7.4 million in laundered cash; and seized or destroyed 139 speedboats, fishing vessels, aircraft, pangas, and drug-trafficking Submersibles.{{cite web |url= http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/a-change-in-tactics-in-the-caribbean/ |title= Drug-trafficking Submersibles |publisher=Defense Media Network |date=1 September 2012}} {{cite web |url= http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/operation-martillo-the-hammer-hasnt-fallen-yet/ |title= Operation Martillo: The Hammer Hasn't Fallen – Yet |publisher= Defense Media Network |date=10 May 2013}}

Between January 2012 and May 2015, 515 tons of cocaine and 117,754 pounds of marijuana have been seized, worth US $8 billion to drug organizations. It has also led to the arrest of at least 1,348 people.{{cite web |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article25706560.html |title=Coast Guard lowers hammer on drug-running on high seas |publisher=Miami Herald |date=28 June 2015}}

Between January 2012 and February 2017, 693 tons of cocaine, US $25 million in cash, 581 vessels and aircraft were detained and 1,863 detainees were arrested.{{cite web |url=http://www.southcom.mil/Media/Special-Coverage/Operation-Martillo/ |title=Operation Martillo |publisher=US Southern Command |access-date=29 March 2017 }}

Seizures have since 2017 become smaller, possibly a result of the previous successes. In 2019 a 62 day patrol, led to 7 interceptions and the discovery of 6 tons of cocaine worth around $377m.{{cite web |title=Charleston-based Coast Guard ship aids in seizure of $377 million worth of drugs |url=https://www.live5news.com/2019/10/31/charleston-based-coast-guard-ship-aids-seizure-million-worth-drugs/ |date=31 October 2019}} In 2020 a similar ships patrol discovered 2 tons worth $60m.{{cite web |title=Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba Returns Home after $60 Million Drug Bust |url=https://seapowermagazine.org/coast-guard-cutter-escanaba-returns-home-after-60-million-drug-bust/ |date=26 May 2020}} 2021 saw Coast Guard Cutter Tampa detain cocaine with a value of $94m.{{cite web |title=Portsmouth-based Coast Guard Cutter Tampa stops vessel carrying $94.6 million in cocaine |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/national/military-news/coast-guard-cutter-tampa-returns-from-caribbean-narcotics-patrol/291-4b90dcbb-8fdb-44a4-89e5-6604c89586ee |date=29 April 2021}} In 2022 another ships 2 month deployment saw 3 tons worth $100m seized.{{cite web |title=U.S. Coast Guard's Cutter Diligence returns to Pensacola |url=https://weartv.com/news/local/us-coast-guards-cutter-diligence-returns-to-pensacola |date=26 February 2022}}

In 2014, Southern Command Cmdr. Marine Gen. John Kelly said, "Because of asset shortfalls, we’re unable to get after 74 percent of suspected maritime drug smuggling." In 2015, there was a 50% increase in the number of US cutters as well as an increase in maritime aircraft patrols. In 2014, JIATF-South was only able to target 383 of the 1,426 maritime drug movements documented.

Between October 2014 and April 2015, 64% of all seizures and disruptions involved a non-US nation’s participation. Allied and Partner Nation's vessels and aircraft were often being used to spot, identify and monitor potential smugglers before passing the information to US intercepts.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOCD) estimates the 2013 annual world production of cocaine to have been between 660 and 900 tons. Seizures in Operation Martillo rose from 78 tons in 2012 to 162 tons in 2013. In 2015, UNOCD indicated an increased production of cocaine in Columbia by 44%,{{cite web |url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Colombia/censo_INGLES_2014_WEB.pdf |title=Columbia - Coca cultivation survey 2014 |publisher=UNOCD |date=July 2015}} and Costa Rica estimated a dramatic rise in world production in 2016.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commonscatinline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martillo, Operation}}

Category:History of drug control

Category:Military operations involving Canada

Category:Military operations involving France

Category:Military operations involving Great Britain

Category:Military operations involving Spain

Category:Military operations involving the United States

Category:Cocaine trafficking