US forces sink narco-refueling station linked to Ecuadorian cartel in Pacific: SOUTHCOM - foxnews.com

U.S. forces on Monday sank a floating refueling vessel used by an Ecuadorian organized crime ring, officials said. Forces with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTFWH) interdicted the refueling vessel used for "at-sea drug trafficking operations" in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said. "JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere," a SOUTHCOM post on X states. The vessel was involved with the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization, SOUTHCOM said. The people aboard were removed and will be handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. NEWLY UNCLASSIFIED PENTAGON IMAGES SHOW SUSPECTED DRUG BOATS AS OFFICIAL ISSUES DEADLY WARNING Once the boat was cleared, U.S. forces sank it. JTFWH was activated by SOUTHCOM in August to counter threats, strengthen regional security, and respond to crises in the Western Hemisphere.