WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), held a subcommittee hearing on the Coast Guard’s role in combatting the fentanyl crisis and stemming the flow of drugs into the United States. Drug interdiction is one of the Coast Guard’s statutory missions and historically this mission has been focused on cocaine – the primary illicit narcotic shipped via maritime transportation. In recent years, the Coast Guard has demonstrated the ability to play a role in the tracking and removal of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals while they are being shipped from China, including contributing to the inspection of 460 metric tons of precursor chemicals transiting the Pacific in Fiscal Year 2023. USCG officials also noted that in Fiscal Year 2023, the Coast Guard removed nearly 100 metric tons of cocaine and detained 267 drug trafficking smugglers, but noted that this fell well short of their goals and resources were strained.
“In recent years, fentanyl has killed thousands of Wisconsinites, devastating families and communities in every corner of the state. I’ve heard from mothers who lost children, cops and paramedics on the front lines, and advocates – all demanding we do more to end this crisis,” said Senator Baldwin. “This crisis demands a whole of government effort and I’m pushing to ensure all law enforcement and armed forces are working in lockstep to protect our communities. The Coast Guard plays a critical role in disrupting the global fentanyl supply chain, and I called this hearing today to see how we can bolster their efforts, including stopping the flow of precursor chemicals from China.”
The hearing, titled “Coast Guard Drug Interdiction and Enforcement in the Maritime Environment,” focused on the maritime drug interdiction and enforcement activities, examining the Coast Guard’s law enforcement and intelligence operations and interagency cooperation. Senator Baldwin also highlighted opportunities to improve the Coast Guard’s mission, including workforce recruitment and retention and acquisitions.
Senator Baldwin was joined by witnesses from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) including USCG Vice Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday, Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force South Rear Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian, Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force West Rear Admiral Bob Little, and Director of Homeland Security and Justice U.S. Government Accountability Office Heather Macleod.
“Drug interdiction is a priority Coast Guard mission and one for which the Service is uniquely qualified. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Coast Guard removed over 96 metric tons of cocaine, bringing our six-year total to 977 metric tons removed,” said Admiral Keven Lunday, Vice Commandant of the USCG. “While this is a substantial amount, it falls short of our annual goals for several reasons, including fewer available surface interdiction assets – Coast Guard cutters and Navy ships – and increased demands from the Coast Guard’s other missions.”
Video of Senator Baldwin’s opening statement is available here. A full recording of the hearing is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
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