United States Conducts New Operation Against Drug Trafficking

The U.S. Southern Command announced that a floating refueling station supporting drug trafficking activities in the Eastern Pacific was successfully sunk by American forces.

Details of the Operation

The United States Southern Command reported in a statement on Tuesday that a vessel functioning as a floating refueling station connected to drug trafficking efforts was sunk.

On September 8, under the direction of the Southern Command, Joint Task Force-Bravo and Western Hemisphere forces intervened in transoceanic drug operations in the Eastern Pacific.

Detentions and Crew

Intelligence information clearly confirmed the vessel's connection to the violent narco-terrorist organization known as Los Choneros.

Individuals removed from the vessel were safely handed over to Ecuadorian authorities, and subsequently, American forces sank the vessel.

Targeting Logistics Networks

The Joint Task Force-West Hemisphere continues to conduct professional operations to dismantle logistics networks financing narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.

This development constitutes the latest in a series of similar announcements targeting vessels acting as refueling stations belonging to Los Choneros, which is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization.

Activities of the Los Choneros Organization

Based in Ecuador, the Los Choneros gang is considered one of the primary drivers behind the destabilizing violence in the country.

The organization is involved in numerous criminal activities such as contract killing, kidnappings, political assassinations, and weapons, explosives, and drug trafficking.

International Cartel Collaborations

According to counter-terrorism guidelines, Los Choneros actively uses prisons and illegal gold mines as operational bases.

Additionally, they cooperate with the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel and Albanian cartels to facilitate global drug shipments.