United States forces have intercepted and destroyed a vessel allegedly being used as a floating refuelling station to support drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.
The operation was carried out on Wednesday in collaboration with Ecuadorian authorities under the direction of the United States Southern Command Commander, Gen. Francis L. Donovan.
According to the U.S. Southern Command, intelligence indicated that the vessel was providing logistical support to Los Choneros, a criminal organisation described by U.S. authorities as a violent narco-terrorist group.
U.S. Marine Corps and Navy personnel launched from the USS San Antonio, boarded and searched the vessel without incident.
The individuals found onboard were safely removed and handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, while the vessel was later sunk by U.S. forces after the necessary clearance procedures were completed.
U.S. officials described the operation as a major disruption to the supply chain supporting maritime drug trafficking networks across the region.
They said the vessel served as a key logistical support point for smugglers, allowing them to sustain operations far from shore.
The operation is part of broader efforts by the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to disrupt organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and violence across the Western Hemisphere.
Donovan said the mission demonstrated the ability of U.S. forces to target and dismantle criminal logistics networks.
“We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere,” he said.
He added that the operation demonstrated the “elite capabilities and precision” of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which remains focused on putting pressure on criminal organisations operating in the region.
U.S. authorities said the operation also highlighted continued cooperation with regional partners, particularly Ecuador, in efforts to weaken international drug trafficking networks and prevent their expansion.
