The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel stated in a classified opinion that personnel taking part in military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in Latin America would not be exposed to future prosecution, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The decision to pursue an opinion, drafted in July, reflects the heightened concerns within the government raised by senior civilian and military lawyers that such strikes would be illegal.

The strikes, now totaling 19 and with a death toll of 76, began in September, though interagency discussions regarding the use of lethal force to combat drug cartels started early in the Trump administration.

Top officers, including Adm. Alvin Holsey, the head of Southern Command, sought caution on such strikes, according to two p

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