 As of 2019, the United States Coast Guard reported that it captures only about 11% of narco-submarine vessels.When semi-submersibles are stopped at sea, their crews usually scuttle them, sending both the boat and the cocaine to the bottom within minutes and leaving no evidence of trafficking.Until 2008, in accordance with maritime law, the crew was rescued and, if there was no physical evidence of wrongdoing, released without criminal charges.