Fact Check: Coast Guard Actually Reported 81% Of Suspected Trafficking Boats Stopped Off Venezuela Before Airstrikes Had Drugs

Claims circulating online that the U.S. Coast Guard found drugs on only 21% of suspected drug-trafficking boats intercepted off Venezuela in the year before airstrikes are inaccurate. Social media posts misrepresented data shared by Senator Rand Paul, who received the information directly from the Coast Guard.

According to official Coast Guard records, of 212 vessels stopped between September 1, 2024, and October 7, 2025, 41 had no illicit contraband on board, which equals roughly 19.4% of the total. This means that the remaining 80.6% of vessels did carry illegal substances.

During the same period, 69 vessels were intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. Fourteen of these had no contraband, and of those, 11 did not appear to violate any federal law. Specifically, 14 vessels were intercepted near Venezuela, with three found to be without illicit contraband; however, one of these three violated other U.S. criminal statutes.

The Coast Guard did not employ lethal force against any of the 212 vessels. Non-lethal measures were used on 105 occasions to warn or disable non-compliant vessels suspected of smuggling. Most interdictions, 208 out of 212, occurred in international waters, three in U.S. territorial waters, and one in foreign territorial seas under a bilateral agreement.

The misinformation originated from social media posts that reversed the correct figures, suggesting that 79% of vessels had no drugs. In reality, the majority of intercepted vessels were carrying illicit substances, contrary to the claims made online.

Clarifying Misleading Claims About Drug Interceptions Off Venezuela

The recent claims circulating on social media that the U.S. Coast Guard found drugs on only 21% of boats intercepted off Venezuela are not accurate. These claims misrepresent data shared by Senator Rand Paul, who had obtained the information directly from the Coast Guard. Official records reveal that, during the period between September 1, 2024, and October 7, 2025, 212 vessels were stopped, and 41 of them had no illicit substances onboard. This equates to roughly 19.4% of the total. The remaining 80.6% of the intercepted vessels were indeed carrying drugs.

Of particular note, 69 vessels were intercepted in the Caribbean Sea, with 14 of these having no contraband. However, it’s important to highlight that 11 of these 14 vessels did not violate any U.S. laws, while 3 were still found to have violated other legal statutes. Additionally, 14 vessels were intercepted near Venezuela, with 3 of them cleared of illicit materials. Among these three, however, one vessel was found to have violated U.S. criminal statutes.

One key point to address is the misinformation that has circulated online, reversing the correct figures. The false claims suggested that 79% of the vessels had no drugs onboard, which is misleading. In reality, the majority of vessels intercepted by the Coast Guard were found to be carrying illegal substances, underscoring the active role the Coast Guard plays in combating drug trafficking.

These clarifications are important as they correct the public narrative around the Coast Guard's efforts in this region. The Coast Guard has not resorted to lethal force against any vessels in the 212 incidents reported, employing non-lethal means on 105 occasions to disable or warn non-compliant vessels suspected of smuggling. Out of the total interceptions, most occurred in international waters, with only a few instances taking place within U.S. territorial waters or foreign territorial seas under specific bilateral agreements.

Sources:

• Fact Check: Coast Guard Did NOT Report 21% Of Suspected Trafficking Boats Stopped Off Venezuela Before Airstrikes Had Drugs -- It Was 81%