Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists. The previously classified policy is part of an anti-drug strategy called Operation New Frontier that in the past year has netted a record 53 tons of cocaine. What's new here is that this force is now available to us from these special helicopters. Loy said the sharpshooters pose no risk to fishermen or pleasure boaters in the Caribbean, where helicopters have stopped three boats in the last month. The operation uses MH90 Enforcer helicopters leased commercially and specially equipped by the Coast Guard.
Crews use nonlethal force to warn the boats and, if necessary, disable their engines with gunfire.
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