– The U.S. SOUTHCOM interdicted an alleged drug-trafficking vessel linked to the Ecuadorian group "Los Choneros", boarded and cleared the vessel, and then sank it.The operation was coordinated with Ecuadorian authorities, who also took custody of the men in the vessel.
On Sept. 2, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.
U.S. Marines and Sailors, launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel were safely transferred to Ecuadorian Authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel
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