US sinks another 'floating refueling station' linked to 'narco-terrorist' group

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Tuesday that the U.S. sank another vessel characterized as a "floating refueling station" linked to drug trafficking efforts. "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," SOUTHCOM noted in a post on X. "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," the post continued. AMERICANS WARNED OF KIDNAPPING, EXTORTION AS violent crime GRIPS PARTS OF TOURIST SPOT "JTF-WHEM continues to conduct precise and professional operations to dismantle the logistical networks fueling narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere," SOUTHCOM added. The post was the latest in a string of similar announcements about the U.S. sinking vessels serving as refueling stations linked with the Los Choneros, a designated foreign terrorist organization. US FORCES SINK NARCO-REFUELING STATION LINKED TO ECUADORIAN CARTEL IN PACIFIC: SOUTHCOM "The Ecuador-based gang Los Choneros is a major driver of destabilizing violence in Ecuador," according to a counterterrorism guide . "Los Choneros engages in a range of violent and criminal activities, including hired killings; kidnappings; political assassinations; and the smuggling of weapons, explosives, and drugs ," the document notes. US MILITARY BOARDS, SEARCHES AND SINKS VESSEL ALLEGEDLY SUPPORTING Los Choneros NARCO-TERRORISTS "Los Choneros uses prisons and illegal gold mines as operational bases and cooperates with the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel and with Albanian cartels to facilitate drug shipments globally," the guide states.