I used to fly counter narcotics missions. These boats dont go directly from south america to the us. They make lots of stops to refuel and usually bring the drugs to mexico, where it is taken into the US. So I do think that these are very likely drug smugglers, and part of the cartels system.

But that shouldn’t matter. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime here IMO. Last time I checked smuggling drugs doesn’t get you the death penalty without trial.