In The News
Navy destroyer deploys to southern border mission to deter illegal crossings, drug trafficking
By Caitlyn Burchett – Stars and Stripes Mar 17, 2025
Navy Destroyer Deploys Off US and Mexico as Part of Pentagon Border Focus
Military.com | By Konstantin Toropin
Mar 17, 2025
“Unlike a Coast Guard cutter, though, a Navy destroyer is a far more heavily armed vessel — the Gravely can carry 96 missiles, including Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles — and it is moving into the area after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently wouldn’t rule out conducting strikes into Mexico.”
Navy Plans to Deploy Second Destroyer to Patrol Waters Off US and Mexico This Week
Military.com | By Konstantin Toropin
Mar 19, 2025
“The Trump administration has already deployed thousands of troops to the southern border and designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations amid promises to curb border crossings.”
Cartels now become part of the US War on Terror
I think of the War on Terror starting at the time of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. The War on Terror has gone on for decades in places like Iraq.
How long will it take to shut down cartel drug availability in the US?
Old Drug War
Has General Milley’s Operation Macho Swagger reduced access to cartel product anywhere in the US?
When is the last time DOD/DHS was able to create any shortage of cartel product in the Puget Sound area?
Has there been enough time for newspeople to ask questions?
Newspeople remain silent.
April 1, 2020 C-SPAN
WWII costume reminds us of a time before decades of undeclared/unwon wars stacked up.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Back Home at Port Angeles
Aug 28, 2023 Peninsula Daily News
Coast Guard cutter Active returns to Port Angeles
Crew back from 58-day patrol that included counternarcotics
“The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Active and crew returned to Port Angeles after the crew seized 130 kilograms of cocaine, aided in a search of a missing sailor and rescued three sea turtles during a 58-day counternarcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.”
Love to see newspeople ask:
Have long range drug patrols out of Port Angeles been able to keep cartel product out of local correctional facilities?
Correctional facility security screening protocols fail to keep meth use from happening inside the facility:
Radio Pacific Aug 24, 2023
OLALLA WOMAN ARRESTED IN OVERDOSE DEATH OF CLALLAM COUNTY INMATE
“Lauren Smith was booked into the Clallam County Jail after being identified as the person who provided methamphetamine to an inmate at Clallam Bay Corrections Center, causing his overdose death.”
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…”
Zero questions from newspeople:
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?
New Drug War
Will the new drug war bring success? Here at Oak Bay Starfish, we are looking for any shortage of cartel product to develop in the Puget Sound area.
We are looking to see if there becomes less need for Narcan, buprenorphine, Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or any similar product used in overdose response situations.
Will crimes like catalytic converter theft and copper theft become a thing of the past?
Will the new drug war put an end to cartel drugs showing up at WA corrections facilities?
The story below features zero questions from newspeople Re: what sort of drugs were involved here?
What part of the drug war has worked? What part has failed? Lessons learned?
Three arrested for allegedly trying to bring drugs into Walla Walla State Prison
By KIRO 7 News
Mar 20, 2025
Zero questions from newspeople:
Fentanyl found in Snohomish County Jail during K9 search
KOMO News Feb 22, 2025
“A routine search by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at the county jail led to the discovery of fentanyl in the medical housing unit on Tuesday, the agency said.”
Routine search discovers fentanyl that maybe should have been kept out of the US by a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security.
Routine search discovers fentanyl that was able to move past jail security screening protocols and procedures prior to becoming the subject of a Sheriff’s Office commendation of the efforts of the corrections staff at the facility.
Well Done
Real newspeople may ask why K9 Harley and others with similar training didn’t prevent fentanyl from entering the facility in the first place. How often do jail security screening protocols fail to keep fentanyl from entering the facility?
Press Release Style of News Reporting
For the story above, KOMO goes with the press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Newspeople post this statement as is. A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
Flushing illegal contraband behind bars; WA youth facility leader says it’s ‘OK’
By Matthew Smith Mar 13, 2025 – FOX 13 Seattle
Will success in the new drug war reduce or eliminate a need for the DEA?
When the US Navy and DOD shut down the cartels, will there be any further need for DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas?
Now located in all 50 states:
“…HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states…”
What will Puget Sound area newspeople be looking for? Will they be out asking questions?
Remember,
No matter what elected officials have decided to do Re: enabling drug use in WA, a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security has been on the job in recent years.
Any cartel product arriving on the streets of Whidbey Island, Seattle or Port Angeles made its way past the jurisdiction of federal agents at borders, border crossings and ports of entry prior to arriving in the Puget Sound area.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance in the Puget Sound area?
Related:
Port Angeles Homeland Security Spending Spree
Welcome Home Troops – Weak American Press