US forces sink vessel used as 'floating refueling station' for drug traffickers in Eastern Pacific

US forces interdicted and subsequently sank a vessel that reportedly served as a "floating refueling station" for illegal drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said Monday.

“Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations,” SOUTHCOM said on the US social media platform X. Intelligence alleged the ship was operating in support of Los Choneros, a "violent narco-terrorist organization."

US units cleared the vessel and removed the crew before sinking it in international waters.

The individuals removed from the ship will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities for further legal action, SOUTHCOM noted.

The Ecuador-based Los Choneros was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington last September.

The latest mission marks at least the fourth such operation since late August.