On September 8, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint... Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. #A3C #JTFWHEM Department of War 🇺🇸 U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

On Sept. 7, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint... Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. #A3C #JTFWHEM Department of War 🇺🇸 U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

On Sept. 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint... Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a multi-vessel floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the main vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the main vessel was cleared and the crew disembarked, U.S. forces sank it and the attached support vessels. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. #A3C #JTFWHEM Department of War 🇺🇸 U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

Well, it appears #NarcoBoats are back on the menu... boys 🛥️ "Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel's involvement with the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the vessel will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After clearing the vessel and disembarking the crew, U.S. forces sank it. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere." -SOUTHCOM Boat accordingly... #narcos #boating #pacific #navy #USCG #Marines #thermalshow more

U.S. Southern Command: "On Sept. 5, at the direction... of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a multi-vessel floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals removed from the main vessel have been transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the main vessel was cleared and the crew disembarked, U.S. forces sank it and the attached support vessels. JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere."show more

According to a release from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM),... at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) interdicted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific operating as a refueling station supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations for the Los Choneros designated terrorist organization. The individuals on board were apprehended and turned over to the Ecuadorian authorities and the vessel and its attached support vessels were destroyed.show more

According to a release from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM),... at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) interdicted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that was operating as a refueling station for illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations. Per the release, the vessel was operating for the Los Choneros designated narco-terrorist organization. After apprehending the people onboard and turning them over to the Ecuadorian authorities, the vessel was sunk.show more

U.S. forces intercept and sink a vessel accused of... operating as a floating refueling station for drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Southern Command says intelligence confirmed the vessel was supporting the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization. The crew was removed before U.S. forces sank the vessel. Those aboard will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities as U.S. forces continue targeting narco-trafficking networks across the Western Hemisphere.show more

On Aug. 28, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel, previously identified and targeted under Department of the Treasury sanctions, was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. U.S. Marines and Sailors, launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel were safely escorted to Ecuador. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel. This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The Department of War 🇺🇸 and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland. "Today's operation is a stark example of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition's power to dismantle the sophisticated, clandestine narco-terrorist tactics and capabilities that have enabled the trafficking of dangerous drugs destined for American communities. Working together with our Ecuadorian partners, our coalition dealt a decisive blow to a narco-terrorist operation responsible for moving significant amounts of drugs through the region. Together with our regional partners, we are committed to defeating narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere." - #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C #JTFWHEM Secretary of War Pete Hegseth U.S. Marines U.S. Navy US Embassy Ecuador Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador 24th Marine Expeditionary Unitshow more

NOW: U.S. forces sink an alleged floating refueling station... in the Eastern Pacific after officials say it was being used to support illicit drug trafficking operations tied to the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization. SOUTHCOM says forces intercepted the multi-vessel operation on Sept. 5, removed individuals from the main vessel and transferred them to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the crew was off and the vessel was cleared, U.S. forces sent the main ship and its attached support vessels to the bottom. The operation is part of an ongoing push to dismantle trafficking networks operating across the Western Hemisphere.show more

U.S. forces board and sink a vessel accused of... operating as a floating refueling station for drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Southern Command says intelligence linked the vessel to the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization, with forces intercepting and clearing it without incident in coordination with Ecuador. Those removed from the vessel will be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities, according to SOUTHCOM.show more

U.S. forces under SOUTHCOM intercepted and sank a floating... refueling vessel in the Eastern Pacific that officials say was supporting illicit drug-trafficking operations linked to the violent Los Choneros organization. The individuals aboard were removed and are being transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Watch OAN on OAN Live for more updates.show more

A suspected floating refueling station for maritime drug traffickers... is now at the bottom of the eastern Pacific after U.S. forces move in. Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio board and clear the vessel without incident before transferring those on board to Ecuador. U.S. forces then sink the ship. U.S. Southern Command says the vessel was supporting Los Choneros, one of Ecuador's most powerful criminal organizations, in illicit drug trafficking operations.show more

On March 8, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Six male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On April 14, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Four male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On April 15, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On Feb. 20, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On June 3, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On May 27, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On April 24, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more

On March 19, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander... Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three narco-terrorists survived the strike. Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors. No U.S. military forces were harmed. Department of War 🇺🇸 #OpSouthernSpearshow more