Narco-Subs are Getting Ridiculously Advanced…
TLDRThis script delves into the world of 'Narco Subs,' the covert vessels used by drug cartels to smuggle drugs across seas. It discusses the evolution of drug smuggling methods, from go-fast boats to semi-submersibles, and the high costs and risks involved. The script highlights the sophistication and ingenuity of these submarines, their construction challenges, and the efforts of law enforcement to intercept them. It also speculates on the potential scale and capabilities of undetected Narco Subs, emphasizing the hidden and elusive nature of this illicit industry.
Takeaways
- 💰 The global drug trade is valued at over $650 billion annually, which is more wealth than over 170 of the world's nations.
- 🚤 In the 1980s, drug smuggling was primarily done using go-fast boats, which were designed to outrun law enforcement.
- 🔊 As technology advanced, go-fast boats became less effective, leading to the development of semi-submersible and fully submersible drug smuggling vessels.
- 🛥️ The first attempts at underwater smuggling involved 'toad submarines', which were towed behind a ship and could submerge to avoid detection.
- 🛳️ The concept of narco submarines was initially met with skepticism, and they were dubbed the 'Black Market Bigfoot' until more evidence emerged.
- 💡 The rise of narco submarines became more evident in the 2000s, with increasing reports and interceptions by authorities.
- 🚧 Building a narco submarine is a significant undertaking, costing cartels between $1 to 2 million, but this is negligible compared to the potential profits.
- 🌊 Narco submarines are designed to be nearly undetectable, with some capable of fully submerging and traveling long distances underwater.
- 🛰️ Despite advancements in radar, sonar, and infrared technology, authorities still struggle to intercept narco submarines, estimating they capture only about 10% of them.
- 🛇 The conditions aboard narco submarines are extremely harsh, with cramped spaces, lack of amenities, and the primary focus being on smuggling the drug cargo.
Q & A
What is considered the most valuable substance in the world based on the video script?
-The script suggests that cocaine might be the most valuable substance, with an ounce of it costing over £2400 on the streets of London.
What is a 'Narco submarine' and how is it used by drug cartels?
-A 'Narco submarine' is a homemade submarine used by drug cartels to smuggle large quantities of drugs across seas. It operates either partly or fully underwater to avoid detection.
How much does it cost to build a basic Narco submarine?
-Building a basic Narco submarine can cost a drug cartel between $1 to 2 million.
What is the estimated annual value of the global drug trade mentioned in the script?
-The global drug trade is valued upwards of $650 billion annually.
What were 'go-fast boats' used for in the context of drug smuggling?
-Go-fast boats, also known as cigarette boats, were used for smuggling drugs by going as fast as possible to outrun law enforcement.
What is the significance of the 1988 discovery of a toad submarine off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida?
-The 1988 discovery marked one of the early attempts to use submarines for drug smuggling, although it was unmanned and its purpose was not confirmed.
What are the three categories of Narco Subs as classified by US analysts?
-The three categories are low-profile vessels, self-propelled semi-submersibles, and fully submersible vessels.
What is the typical length of a Narco sub?
-A typical Narco sub can be anywhere between 12 and 20 meters in length, with the largest ever found being close to 30 meters.
How do the Narco subs avoid detection and what are their typical speeds?
-Narco subs avoid detection by operating underwater. An 18-meter sub might be able to travel at 18 km/h (11 mph), which is not fast but enough to avoid lingering in one place for too long.
What is the estimated percentage of Narco subs that the US Coast Guard believes it intercepts?
-The US Coast Guard estimates that it intercepts barely 10% of the submarine traffic that passes through US waters.
What was unique about the electric-powered Narco sub discovered in Colombia in 2020?
-The electric-powered Narco sub was sophisticated, run with twin electric motors and powered by 10 tons of heavy-duty batteries. It could fully submerge and had features like bunks for the crew and dive planes for depth control.
What was the significance of the 2023 raid in the Cauca and Narino departments in Colombia?
-The 2023 raid led to the discovery of secret shipyards in the jungle, indicating that the illicit Narco sub industry is developing to the point where large numbers of submarines are being built and sold by expert builders.
Outlines
💰 The Valuable Substances and the Rise of Narco Submarines
The script begins by comparing the value of various substances like gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium, before highlighting cocaine as the most expensive on the black market. It introduces the concept of 'Narco submarines', which are used by drug cartels to smuggle drugs across seas undetected. These submarines can cost up to $2 million to build but can carry up to $100 million worth of drugs. The video sets the stage for an exploration of the world of drug trafficking and the lengths criminals go to avoid law enforcement.
🛥️ Evolution of Drug Smuggling: From Go-Fast Boats to Narco Subs
This paragraph delves into the history and evolution of drug smuggling methods. Initially, go-fast boats were used to outrun law enforcement. However, as technology advanced, these boats became less effective. Early attempts at underwater smuggling involved 'toad submarines', which were not fully submersible. The narrative then discusses the progression to self-propelled semi-submersibles and fully submersible vessels, including the discovery of a 49 ft long homemade submarine carrying three tons of cocaine in 2006. It also touches on the classification system developed by US analysts to categorize the types of narco submarines.
🚤 Design and Detection Challenges of Narco Submarines
The script describes the general design and operation of narco submarines, which can vary greatly in size, material, and capabilities. These vessels are typically made of fiberglass or steel, with diesel engines, and can carry between 3 to 12 tons of cargo. The paragraph discusses the challenges faced in detecting these submarines due to their underwater advantage and the improvements made by cartels to avoid detection. It also mentions the logistical support these submarines might receive from surface vessels and the extreme conditions faced by their crews.
💡 Innovations and Interdictions in Narco Submarine Technology
This section highlights the innovations in narco submarine technology, such as the use of electric propulsion and the discovery of secret shipyards. It discusses the discovery of an electric-powered narco submarine and the implications of the growing narco submarine industry, including the potential for large numbers of submarines being built and sold by expert builders. The paragraph also covers significant interdictions, such as the largest single narco sub ever recorded in 2023 and the challenges faced by law enforcement in capturing these elusive vessels.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Narco submarine
💡Drug cartels
💡Cocaine
💡Smuggling
💡Global Drug trade
💡Semi-submersible
💡Interdiction
💡Drug trafficking
💡Radar and sonar
💡Costa Rica
💡Colombia
Highlights
Gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium are valuable substances, but cocaine is the most expensive, costing over £2400 per ounce on the streets of London.
Drug cartels use 'Narco submarines' to smuggle drugs, capable of carrying up to $100 million worth of product.
Building a basic Narco submarine costs between $1 to 2 million, a small price for the potential profits.
Drug trade is valued at over $650 billion annually, more than 170 world nations' wealth.
In the 1980s, 'go-fast' boats were used for smuggling drugs, but advanced technology made them less effective.
Early attempts at underwater smuggling involved 'toad submarines', which were towed and could submerge to avoid detection.
The concept of Narco Subs was once considered a myth, likened to the 'Black Market Bigfoot'.
In 2006, the US Coast Guard intercepted a 49 ft long homemade submarine carrying three tons of cocaine valued at over $50 million.
By 2009, authorities had discovered 33 Narco Subs, estimating they moved at least a ton of cocaine daily.
Narco Subs are categorized into low-profile vessels, self-propelled semi-submersibles, and fully submersible vessels.
Narco Subs are built with no standardized parts, often in remote locations to avoid detection.
An 18-meter Narco Sub can travel at 11 mph and has a range depending on fuel capacity.
Submarines are often scuttled after unloading their cargo to avoid capture.
In 2015, the US Coast Guard discovered a 40-ft Narco Sub with 8 tons of cocaine, the largest indictment in their history.
In 2019, a crew completed the first known transatlantic crossing in a Narco Sub, hauling $150 million worth of cocaine.
In 2020, Colombia discovered an electric-powered Narco Sub, indicating technological advancements in smuggling methods.
In 2023, a secret shipyard for building Narco Subs was discovered in Colombia, suggesting a growing industry.
The Colombian Navy intercepted the largest single Narco Sub ever recorded in 2023, at 100 ft long.
US Coast Guard estimates suggest they capture only about 10% of Narco Sub traffic, with advanced submarines rarely accounted for.
Transcripts
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