organizations, the cartels, they're always looking for the easiest point of drespp. >> reporter: the vast waters and islands of the caribbean are now ground zero. in the past three years, cocaine seizures in the area have more than tripled. to intercept drug boats, armed teams train relentlessly. we're off the coast of mimeo a u.s. coast guard small boat. this is one of dozens of motorized vessels that they use to track down the drug runners. members of the coast guard drill how to board boats and subs with drugs and guns. the most dangerous seizures involve the coast guard tactical law enforcement team. >> it's very dangerous. >> reporter: frank florio commands one of the units. >> we'll chase them either until they break down or where our guys are actually shooting from a helicopter to disable their engines only. >> reporter: with mexican drug lord sandra guzman in a u.s. prison, u.s. prosecutors say venezuela's cartel of the son,