The never ending 'war on drugs/terrorism' deals primarily with money and power, so stories like this will continue.

At least, until we elect someone into power who does not believe that killing and destroying innocent lives is a viable domestic and foreign policy.

From the good libertarians at Reason Magazine (emphasis mine):

We Had to Kill the Villagers to Save Americans From the Cocaine They Want

Worse, it is a never-ending war with the unattainable (and undesirable) goal of achieving "a drug-free society." Even in this context, measures like last week's raid stand out as worse than futile. Seizing those 1,000 pounds of cocaine was not worth risking a single person's life, since it accomplished absolutely nothing of consequence, even as measured by the drug warriors' goal of reducing the supply of cocaine or raising its price. Governments can create black markets by fiat, but they cannot control the ever-adaptable operation of those markets, which will always override attempts to disrupt production or block supply routes. Is it any wonder that Latin American leaders are increasingly angry about arrogant U.S. demands that they participate in the vain crusade to stop Americans from getting the drugs they want? 

The policy, as it has been for a long time now, is not actually about accomplishing anything of consequence.