The U.S. military has intercepted a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean believed to be operating on behalf of an Ecuadorian drug cartel, after which the boat was searched, its crew detained, and the vessel subsequently sunk.
Sea-news.az reports that the U.S. Southern Command shared the details on its official social media channels.
According to the command, U.S. Marines and sailors launched the operation using the amphibious transport dock ship San Antonio to intercept and board the vessel without incident. The individuals onboard were handed over to Ecuador, and once the military operation concluded, the vessel was destroyed by U.S. forces.
The statement emphasizes that the operation was carried out in close coordination and cooperation with the Ecuadorian government. The Southern Command noted that the vessel was being used as a floating refueling station for drug smuggling operations in international waters of the Pacific.
Intelligence data reportedly confirmed that the boat was operating in the interests of “Los Choneros,” one of Ecuador’s largest drug cartels.
