The US military has intercepted and destroyed a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean that was reportedly used to serve the interests of an Ecuadorian drug cartel.
Sea-news.az reports that this was announced by the United States Southern Command.
According to the Command’s statement on the social media platform X, the operation was carried out in cooperation and coordination with the government of Ecuador.
The statement notes that the vessel was used for drug smuggling in international waters and simultaneously operated as a floating refueling station: “In international waters in the eastern Pacific, a vessel used for drug smuggling and acting as a floating fueling station was intercepted. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was utilized in the interests of the brutal narcoterrorist organization ‘Los Choneros,'” the Command stated.
During the operation, the individuals on board the vessel were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities.
After completing search and security measures on board, the US military scuttled the ship.
