Honest Consumer Demand For Patrol Boats? Any Shortage of Cartel Product?

In The News

Bremerton boat builder faces financial strain amid federal funding halt

by Karina Vargas, KOMO News Mar 5, 2025

“The Bremerton-based boat builder, which primarily serves government clients, has been forced to halt work on several projects, including the ‘Mark VI’ patrol boats intended for Ukraine, due to an executive order by President Trump pausing foreign-assistance programs.”

“Schwarz noted that the halted contract was through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.”

“SAFE Boats International is known for providing vessels for search and rescue operations, as well as efforts to counteract drug smuggling and human trafficking.”

Many comments are posted with the article above.

2016 Blog

Blogged about Puget Sound Patrol boats back in 2016. These boats may come from various manufacturers. Not here to question the quality of any product.

The blog: Puget Sound Coastal Patrol Boats

The post 911 Homeland Security spending spree seemed to go without question in the local press.

A news article from that time:

‘We need that power’: New Interceptor vessels designed to stop smugglers built in Puget Sound

By Adam Mertz June 2, 2016 FOX 13 Seattle

Same busy news week-

Nearly nine pounds of heroin get past Homeland Security coastal patrol boats & into Snohomish:

Police, agents haul in 9 pounds of heroin potentially worth millions

Snohomish again:

Local law enforcement agencies may benefit when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US-

Seattle media:

Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

The local press avoided asking:

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin from showing up in Port Angeles?

Operation Macho Swagger

Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions.

Fast boats put agents in close distance with ‘bad guys’ on the watery border

By Paul Gottlieb Jul 17, 2011 Peninsula Daily News

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

Recent News

2024:

With a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence at Port Angeles:

“Clallam County has one of the highest per capita rates of drug overdoses in the state…”

Background – Port Angeles CBP

Unlike many cities of its size, Port Angeles maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Port Angeles Homeland Security funding and performance?

Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.

New Port Angeles USBP Station opened more than a decade ago. Has the new station been able to prevent cartel drugs from entering the Olympic Peninsula?

Newspeople remain silent.

After a Port Angeles CBP buildup that took place more than a decade ago, is there any follow up made by the press to inform the public on whatever results have been achieved?

If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:

Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area:

When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?

When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest linked in any way to the US/Canada border?

Has massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca played any role in reducing Clallam County drug overdose numbers?

Have opioid lawsuits played any role in improving the situation?

How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?

Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?

Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made any seizure that kept any amount of fentanyl, heroin or any opioid from entering Clallam County?

Were Clallam County drug overdose death numbers higher before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established (2002) or are the numbers higher with a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security in place? This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?

Urban legend: The US Border Patrol stopped the Millennium Bomber at Port Angeles-

Ahmed Ressam was captured at the traditional port of entry at Port Angeles by Customs Inspectors wearing blue uniforms- not by Border Patrol Agents wearing green uniforms.

Dec 17, 2029 Peninsula Daily News

Terrorist plot stopped in Port Angeles 20 years ago

“Two decades have passed since U.S. Customs inspectors in Port Angeles foiled a terrorist’s plot to kill and injure as many Americans as possible by blowing up a passenger terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.”

“…he debarked from the MV Coho ferry driving a rental car filled with highly-volatile explosives.”

How many US Border Patrol agents were stationed at Port Angeles in 1999?

Pre-911 staffing levels got the job done.

Over in Island County

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?

Newspeople remain silent.

Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent

Conclusion:

Since 911, did the use of coastal patrol boats anywhere in WA create any shortage of cartel product in Seattle?