US forces have successfully interdicted a floating refuelling station believed to be supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the US military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed in a social media post.
The interdiction was carried out on Wednesday, September 8, by unidentified US assets operating as part of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) under the direction of SOUTHCOM.
"Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organisation," SOUTHCOM said. "Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities."
The US forces involved in the interdiction sank the boat after clearing it and disembarking the crew.
"JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fuelling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere," SOUTHCOM added.
The target is the second suspected narco-refuelling station to be interdicted by US forces in less than a week, according to USNI News.
On Monday September 7, US Navy sailors and marines interdicted one such station, disembarked the crew and sank it.
SOUTHCOM said this other refuelling station was also linked to the Ecuador-based Los Choneros organised crime group.