Volume 9
Champions Edition
region ,” says JIATF-S Director Christopher Tomney .
Dominican Republic Navy Cmdr . Jose Jose-Vasquez describes communicating with other foreign liaisons . “ I don ’ t need to make diplomatic procedures ,” he says .
Air Force Liaison Lt . Col . Ziggy Shoepf talks about the importance of having an FBI liaison . “ That ’ s a key piece .”
Gerry Canavan , an FBI analyst , talks about the importance of seizing large drug shipments because they are often accompanied by trusted members of the criminal networks .
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Where drug traffickers are concerned , minutes can make a difference . On the JIATF-S watch floor any time of day or night , targeting officers and intelligence analysts may be tracking dozens of vessels on the vast Pacific Ocean or Caribbean Sea suspected of carrying cocaine and other contraband .
They must decide how to deploy limited military resources to track these vessels and to target them for interdictions .
Kevin Lopez , an FBI analyst at JIATF-S , describes how FBI intelligence informs the movement of JIATF-S airplanes and ships when locating drug-trafficking vessels .
Self-propelled semi-submersible craft ( SPSS ) are the most highly prized catches because they carry the most drugs , anywhere from eight to 10 metric tons of cocaine — that ’ s roughly $ 300 million in street value . But these vessels are designed for stealth , with very little of the craft showing above the water line .
“ It ’ s very difficult to find them on radar , said Gerry Canavan , a retired Coast Guard officer who joined the FBI as an analyst helping to target vessels suspected of carrying drugs . “ If it ’ s not flat and calm , the radar probably isn ’ t going to pick up an SPSS ,” he said .
“ This task force is all about helping to bring stability to the
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