U.S. military intercepts and scuttles vessel utilized by narco-cartel
The U.S. military has intercepted and scuttled a maritime vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that was reportedly operated in the interest of the Ecuadorian narco-terrorist organization “Los Choneros.”
Sea-news.az reports that according to an official statement released by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on its official account on the social media platform X, the targeted vessel was being used by the drug cartel as a floating refueling station.
Command officials stated that intelligence assessments confirmed the vessel’s direct operational links to the “Los Choneros” network.
The statement noted that the individuals aboard the vessel have been detained and will be handed over to the Government of Ecuador for prosecution.
“Following the extraction of the crew and subsequent security inspections, U.S. Armed Forces proceeded to scuttle the vessel,” the SOUTHCOM statement declared.
“Los Choneros” is widely recognized as one of the largest and most dangerous criminal syndicates operating in Ecuador. The United States continues its expanded counter-narcotics and maritime interdiction operations across the region to dismantle illicit trafficking networks.
