U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) dealt another devastating blow to Western Hemisphere drug syndicates on Thursday, announcing that American naval forces intercepted and sank a floating refueling station operating in support of the violent Ecuadorian narco-terrorist organization Los Choneros. This is a continuation of President Donald Trump’s policy of destroying drug trafficking vessels that began just over one year ago.
The high-stakes interdiction was carried out on September 3 in international waters of the Eastern Pacific at the direct order of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, in close coordination and collaboration with the government of Ecuador, according to a statement posted on social media by SOUTHCOM. Littoral Combat Force 24 launched from the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) to interdict, board, search, and secure the target ship before U.S. forces sent it to the ocean floor.
