Photo courtesy of Anadolu
US forces sank a vessel in the Eastern Pacific after intercepting it over allegations that it was providing logistical support to an Ecuador-based drug trafficking organization, the US Southern Command said Wednesday.
The operation was conducted with Ecuador and involved personnel deployed from the USS San Antonio, an amphibious transport dock operating in the region.
US Marines and sailors boarded the vessel in international waters and searched it after intelligence linked the ship to Los Choneros, according to SOUTHCOM.
The military said the vessel was allegedly being used to refuel other ships involved in the movement of illegal drugs, allowing trafficking operations to remain at sea for extended periods.
Those aboard the vessel were removed before it was destroyed and later transferred to Ecuadorian authorities for further action. SOUTHCOM did not provide their identities or specify how many people were detained.
After completing the search, US forces sank the ship to prevent it from returning to service, the command said. No details were immediately provided on whether narcotics were recovered during the operation.
SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis Donovan said the action was part of efforts to disrupt the infrastructure and supply networks that allow criminal organizations to move drugs through the region.
Los Choneros is an Ecuador-based criminal organization that Washington designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist group in September, allowing the United States to impose additional measures against the group and its network.