On Monday, US forces sank a floating refueling ship that was affiliated with an organized crime group in Ecuador, according to officials.
The Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTFWH) intercepted the vessel, which was reportedly involved in “at-sea drug trafficking operations” in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as stated by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
In a post on X, SOUTHCOM emphasized that “JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.”
This vessel had ties to the Los Choneros narco-terrorist group, said SOUTHCOM. After the crew was removed, they were turned over to Ecuadorian officials.
Once the ship was secured, US forces proceeded to sink it.
SOUTHCOM activated JTFWH in August to tackle threats, bolster regional security, and handle various crises across the Western Hemisphere.
The current administration has made it a priority to go after suspected drug-smuggling vessels headed to the US.
Recently, the State Department designated the Los Choneros cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, noting that its members have posed threats to various public officials, including security personnel and journalists, in Ecuador.
State Department deputy spokesperson Thomas Pigott remarked, “Their ultimate goal is to control drug trafficking routes through Ecuador by terrorizing and inflicting brutal violence on the Ecuadorian people.”
In July, US and Ecuadorian authorities worked together to extradite Fito Macias, the leader of Los Choneros, marking him as the first Ecuadorian citizen to be extradited to the United States for legal proceedings.
