U.S. Military Boards and Destroys Suspected Cartel Refueling Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Crew Sent to Ecuador
The U.S. military boarded a vessel in international waters in the Eastern Pacific described as a floating refueling station for Ecuador’s Los Choneros cartel, arrested those aboard, and then blew up the ship.
U.S. forces have taken action against suspected cartel logistics in the Eastern Pacific, boarding and then destroying a vessel thought to be supporting drug trafficking operations.
According to reporting on the incident, the U.S. military boarded a ship in international waters in the Eastern Pacific that was described as a “floating refueling station” for the Los Choneros cartel, identified as the armed wing of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. The alleged cartel members on board were arrested and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. After the detainees were moved, the vessel was blown up.
Separately, Ecuador’s navy said it was coordinating the return to Manta of 28 crew members from the vessels Conquista II and OM2 in the context of operations carried out by U.S. units. The crew members are to be transported by a coast guard ship, with arrival expected on 4 September. The navy also reported that it has naval and related assets deployed.
The destruction of a suspected floating refueling station removes a mobile support platform from the smugglers’ network and shows a willingness by U.S. forces to neutralize such assets at sea rather than seize and tow them to port.
Key developments to monitor include any further joint U.S.–Ecuador operations against maritime logistics for drug cartels, changes in how Los Choneros and associated groups operate at sea, and whether similar floating support vessels are targeted in future interdictions.
Sources
- OSINT