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U.S. forces have intercepted and destroyed a vessel allegedly being used as a floating refuelling station to support illegal drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific, in a joint operation conducted with Ecuadorian authorities.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday under the direction of United States Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, targeted a vessel that intelligence indicated was providing logistical support to the Los Choneros criminal organisation, which U.S. authorities describe as a violent narco-terrorist group.
According to U.S. Southern Command, personnel from the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy launched from USS San Antonio, boarded and searched the vessel without incident.
Individuals found onboard were removed and transferred safely to Ecuadorian authorities, while the vessel was later sunk by U.S. forces after clearance procedures were completed.
The interception was described by U.S. officials as a major disruption to the supply chain used by drug trafficking networks operating across the region. Authorities said the vessel served as a key support point for maritime smuggling activities, helping traffickers maintain operations far from shore.
The operation forms part of the wider efforts of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to disrupt organised crime networks involved in drug trafficking and violence across the Western Hemisphere.
Gen. Donovan said the mission demonstrated U.S. forces’ ability to target 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,” Donovan said.
He added that the operation showed the “elite capabilities and precision” of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which he said remains focused on applying pressure on criminal organisations operating in the region.
U.S. officials said the mission reflects continued cooperation with regional partners, including Ecuador, as authorities seek to weaken international drug trafficking networks and prevent their expansion.
