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39,389 viewsNov 27, 2019, 02:00am

Open Source Intelligence: Atlantic Drug Submarine May Be Related To Pacific Example

H I SuttonContributor 

Aerospace & Defense

I cover the changing world of underwater warfare.

The so-called narco submarine recently recovered in Spain may be connected to an example captured over 5,000 miles away in the Eastern Pacific in January. The Spanish example is significant because it is the first of this type of vessel captured on the European side of the Atlantic. The inference is that this may have made a trans-Atlantic voyage, either towed or under its own power.

The drug submarine discovered in Spain at the weekend is likely to be directly related to an example ... [+]

H I SUTTON (AUTHOR)

Although they are not identical, there are several features which suggest a family relationship. I have analysed over 160 reported incidents and pieced together related families. There are many master boat builders involved, but their design choices can act as a fingerprint. This allows us to directly connect different occurrences, even when they are thousands of miles apart.

Both these vessels are relatively large for single-motor designs. The Spanish example is approximately twice the size of a prototypical narco submarine. Much of the increased size is likely to be dedicated to extra fuel for longer ranged trips. This may be confirmed when the Spanish authorities release further details.

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The cockpits have small details in common which, together with the lower hull lines, stern shape and exhaust arrangement, act as the designer’s fingerprint. In front of the windshields, which are arranged in a wedge shape with vertical sides, is a dividing plate. This is very distinctive. And the shape of the hatch, which folds forward, is another tell.

There are more significant differences also. The Colombian example was narrower, with a hull form called a Very Slender Vessel (VSV). This means that the width is less than 1 tenth of its length. Another difference is that the cockpit is longer on the latest example. This may mean that the design has evolved, or be because of differing requirements. The Atlantic version may be required to travel longer distances, or carry more drugs.

Having the same master boat builder does not mean that the same drug cartels are involved. Narco submarine builders are believed to work for more than one customer. And often the vessels themselves carry products from more than one cartel. We can tell this because cocaine packages typically have a producer’s mark of some kind.

The Spanish narco submarine incident is significant. It has likely changed the game as far as narco submarine operations go, with a greater focus off Europe likely. But the probable family connection to the Pacific example reminds us that the drug trafficking organizations do not play within the same boundaries.