A maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspicious vessel and directed the US Coastguard cutter Munro towards it. Munro launched a helicopter aircrew and boarding teams, and together they interdicted a low-profile vessel. The boarding teams discovered 3,439 pounds of cocaine aboard the purpose-built drug smuggling vessel.

 

These low profile and semi-submersible vessels represent a real security challenge and a serious threat to ports, shipping and waterside critical infrastructure. 

 

It can be seen by the design that it is deliberately incorporating stealth techniques in its design, despite probably being manufactured in a relatively primitive workshop.

 

Its significant payload of nearly 1.7 tons, would make a sizeable bomb if this sort of vessel got into than hands of terrorists, and links between terrorist groups and organised crime are well known.

This particular vessel was detected and interdicted, but how many get through undetected. A worrying thought!