Fact-check · Sep 12, 2026 · Donald Trump
“They're down 97% in water”
MISLEADING
What the record shows
CBP air and marine operations show 98% drop in seized drug pounds July-November 2025 (mainly marijuana). However, Coast Guard—which handles most maritime interdictions—seized 510,000 lbs cocaine in FY2025, a 200% increase. Seizure data cannot measure total drugs entering US.
Sources
- PolitiFact FL: Is Trump right that drugs entering the US ...
- DEA Caribbean Division, HSTF Partners Seize Over 1,400 Pounds of Cocaine, Arrest Three Venezuelan Nationals in Maritime Interdiction
- PolitiFact FL: Is Trump right that drugs entering the US by sea have dropped by 97%? | WLRN
- Coast Guard, partners seize vessel off Cape Florida loaded with 6.7M worth of cocaine
- CBP Enforcement Statistics | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- AMO Drug Seizures | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
From: President Trump Delivers Remarks to U.S. Embassy Personnel and Business Leaders
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