Tucker Carlson recently made a jaw-dropping claim about the weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine. According to the former Fox News host, up to half of the military aid provided by the U.S. ends up on the black market, and a significant chunk finds its way into the hands of America’s enemies – including dangerous Mexican drug cartels.

Carlson didn’t hold back in an interview with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis. He stated, “The Ukrainian military is selling a huge percentage – up to half – of the arms that we send them.” These weapons, which are meant to fight off Russian forces, are allegedly being sold to criminals around the world. While Carlson didn’t provide any concrete evidence or sources to back his claim, the allegation is serious enough to stir concern.

It’s a sobering thought: the billions of dollars in military aid sent to Ukraine might be fueling criminal activity rather than aiding in the defense against Russian aggression. Weapons that were supposed to help Ukrainian forces may be on their way to the hands of cartels and extremists, raising major questions about accountability and oversight.

How Did This Happen?

Since the beginning of the conflict, the U.S. has committed around $175 billion in aid to Ukraine. This has included everything from small arms to advanced missile systems. While Ukraine desperately needs this support to combat the Russian invasion, the problem is that the flow of weapons is not as tightly controlled as it should be.

According to Carlson, there is a serious lack of oversight when it comes to tracking where these weapons end up. In fact, he claims these arms are being stolen, sold, and eventually making their way into the hands of people who could threaten U.S. security. He described the situation as a “crime” and a “nightmare.”

The U.S. has spent vast sums of money supporting Ukraine, but some reports suggest a lot of that aid doesn’t stay in the intended hands. The bigger problem is the risk of this weaponry fueling criminal organizations that operate both internationally and domestically. The weapons are sometimes even showing up for sale online.

Real-Life Examples: Weapons Turning Up Everywhere

It’s not just Carlson making these claims. There have been reports of weapons that were originally meant for Ukraine showing up in other parts of the world. These aren’t just empty accusations; there are real-life examples of Western arms ending up in the wrong hands.

In 2022, Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, flagged growing concerns about arms trafficking from Ukraine into the EU. The weapons were reportedly making their way into criminal organizations in multiple countries. A few months later, authorities in Finland discovered arms originally sent to Ukraine that were now in the hands of local criminals. Similar incidents have been reported in Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

The situation escalated in 2023 when Israeli officials found Western anti-tank weapons meant for Ukraine on Israel’s border. These weapons were reportedly seized from Palestinian militants. In Spain, media outlets reported that criminal gangs in southern regions had gotten their hands on military-grade weapons allegedly smuggled from Ukraine.

These examples show the global scale of the problem and how widespread it is. Whether it’s criminals in Europe or militant groups in the Middle East, these weapons are making their way across borders.

The Bigger Picture: Is This a National Security Threat?

This isn’t just a problem for Ukraine or the countries receiving military aid. It’s also a serious issue for the United States. With the ongoing war, it’s easy to overlook the wider consequences of these weapons ending up in the wrong hands. But the reality is that the weapons being sent to Ukraine could ultimately be used against U.S. interests, both domestically and internationally.

What happens when those weapons fall into the hands of the Mexican cartels? These groups, already heavily armed and well-funded, could get an even deadlier arsenal. It’s no secret that cartels have been a major source of violence on the U.S.-Mexico border, and the idea that U.S. weapons might be fueling that violence is chilling.

There are also concerns about the broader implications for global stability. As these weapons make their way into the hands of militants or extremists, they can be used to fuel conflicts in other regions. For example, anti-tank missiles that were supposed to help Ukraine defend against Russia might now be used by groups aiming to destabilize entire regions.

While the situation in Ukraine is critical, it’s crucial to consider how U.S. support might be unintentionally fueling further violence and instability around the world.

Our Take

While the U.S. government’s support for Ukraine is rooted in a desire to help the country defend itself from Russian aggression, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the lack of oversight and control over weapons shipments is a serious issue. These weapons could end up in the hands of criminal organizations and extremists, both internationally and closer to home. This puts U.S. national security at risk and could have long-term consequences for public safety.

We need a more responsible approach to military aid, one that ensures our support is actually making a positive difference in the fight against Russia, not creating additional threats for our own country. At the end of the day, the American taxpayer deserves to know that their money is being spent effectively, and that our national security isn’t being compromised in the process.

U.S. policy should focus on strengthening accountability in weapon distribution, ensuring that the tools meant for defense don’t end up fueling violence elsewhere