We've long been skeeved by the idea of drugs traveling into the country via the lower intestines of drug mules, so a couple of recent busts have shown us drug lords are getting at least a little more hygienic and a lot more sophisticated.

In the past week, the Coast Guard has intercepted two cocaine-filled submarines in the Pacific. One of the submarines sank after U.S. authorities boarded it, while the other was seized with its four-person crew. Each craft was carrying about seven tons of cocaine, worth about $196 million in street value.

These semi-submarines are very difficult to detect either visually or by radar, and according to the Coast Guard's director of response policy, their use by South American drug cartels is increasing. "This is a serious threat that is growing, both in volume of cocaine shipped and in sophistication of the craft," said Rear Adm. Joseph R. Castillo.

If you hear the faint sound of scribbling, that's every screenwriter in Hollywood writing down the phrase "'Hunt for Red October" meets "Scarface.'"