U.S. forces sank a floating refueling vessel on Monday that officials said was being used by an Ecuadorian organized crime network.
The vessel, which supported “at-sea drug trafficking operations” in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, was interdicted by personnel from Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTFWH), according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
“JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere,” SOUTHCOM said in a post on X.
SOUTHCOM said the refueling vessel was linked to the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization.
Those who were on board were taken off the vessel and are expected to be turned over to authorities in Ecuador.
Once the boat was cleared, US forces sank it.
JTFWH was activated by SOUTHCOM in August to counter threats, strengthen regional security, and respond to crises in the Western Hemisphere.
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The Trump administration has prioritized targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels bound for the United States.
Last week, the cartel was designated by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organization. Its members have attacked and threatened public officials and their families, security personnel, judges, prosecutors, and journalists in Ecuador, the agency said.
“Their ultimate goal is to control drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by terrorizing and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorian people,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Thomas Pigott.
In July, US and Ecuadorian authorities cooperated to extradite Los Choneros leader Fito Macias, who was the first Ecuadorian citizen extradited from Ecuador to face justice in the US.