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U.S. sinks second "floating refueling station" used by alleged drug traffickers
U.S. forces say the vessel supplied fuel to drug traffickers tied to Los Choneros and that those aboard were turned over to Ecuadorian authorities.
On Tuesday, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in the Pacific. United States forces later sank the ship, according to Southern Command .
Intelligence identified the vessel as supporting drug-trafficking operations run by Los Choneros. The United States designated the gang as a Foreign Terrorist Organizations due to their involvement in violent trafficking activities.
Marines from the USS San Antonio boarded and searched the vessel without incident. After clearing the ship, United States forces transferred the people aboard to Ecuador.
This operation follows an Aug. 26 effort where the Ecuadorian Government and Drug Enforcement Administration dismantled a network linked to Los Lobos, resulting in more than 20 arrests.
SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis Donovan stated the mission demonstrates commitment to dismantling logistics networks used by narco-terrorists. Coordinated missions between the United States and Ecuador represent ongoing efforts against drug-trafficking organizations.
The US military claims to have intercepted a vessel used for drug trafficking. The people on the vessel have been handed over to the authorities in Ecuador. The footage has not been independently verified.
2 hours ago·Amsterdam, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
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