Drug Interdiction: Can We Stop the New Pancho Villa?

Abstract : This monograph examines the role which the United States Army can play in counter-drug operations. First, the current drug threat to the United States is analyzed for vulnerability to American action. Areas where drugs can be attacked are at the source, in transit, and at their destination. Each area is analyzed in terms of Army capabilities, domestic reaction, international reaction, and drug smuggler reactions. Interdiction at the borders of the United States is determined to be the most visible method for attacking drugs using the Army. Two historical examples are analyzed to determine the capability for using the Army at the borders. The examples are American Army operations designed to stop cross-border incursions during the time of the Mexican Revolution and East German frontier sealing operations. The monograph concludes that the United States Army, if augmented by modern technology could successfully conduct drug interdiction at the southwest border today.