Pentagon’s internal watchdog to probe U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats

The inspector general will look at the intelligence and targeting Southern Command used for the strikes, as well as other aspects of the operations against drug cartels, according to a May 11 letter from the Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General.

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department’s inspector general said Monday that it’s investigating U.S. Southern Command over its targeting of alleged drug-smuggling boats in the military’s campaign against drug cartels, which some critics have argued is illegal.

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Southern Command has targeted nearly 60 small boats the military says were transporting drugs through the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, destroying 59 vessels and killing 193 people since the campaign began last fall, according to the Pentagon.

The internal watchdog will look at the intelligence and targeting Southern Command used for the strikes, as well as other aspects of the operations against the drug cartels, according to a letter from the Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General dated May 11.