U.S. Forces Blow Up Floating Refueling Vessel Linked To Narco Terrorist Drug Trafficking

On Sept. 3, at the direction of U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and in coordination with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations.

Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.

Littoral Combat Force 24 launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched and cleared the vessel without incident.

Individuals removed from the vessel will be safely transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After the vessel was cleared, U.S. forces blew it up and sank it.

The operation cut off a critical node in the traffickers’ logistics chain and advanced the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere to dismantle narco-terrorist networks.

The Department of War and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition remain committed to defeating narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defending the U.S. homeland.