U.S. SOUTHCOM Sinks Narco-Refueling Vessel Linked to Drug Trafficking

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) revealed a significant operation on Tuesday. The U.S. military sank another vessel described as a “floating refueling station,” associated with drug trafficking activities.

“On September 8, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) forces successfully interdicted a floating refueling station. The station supported illicit at-sea drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific,” SOUTHCOM stated in a post on X.

The statement confirmed that intelligence linked the vessel to Los Choneros, a violent narco-terrorist organization. Individuals from the vessel were handed over to Ecuadorian authorities. After ensuring the vessel was clear, U.S. forces sank it.

U.S. Southern Command released a video showing the sinking of the vessel on September 8, 2026. (U.S. Southern Command on X)

SOUTHCOM further emphasized that JTF-WHEM continues operations to dismantle logistical networks aiding narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.

This announcement is part of a series of similar actions by the U.S., targeting vessels used as refueling stations for Los Choneros, designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

The Ecuador-based group Los Choneros significantly contributes to destabilizing violence in Ecuador. According to a counterterrorism guide, Los Choneros engages in various violent and criminal activities. These include hired killings, kidnappings, political assassinations, and the smuggling of weapons, explosives, and drugs.

Los Choneros use prisons and illegal gold mines as operational bases. They collaborate with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and Albanian cartels to facilitate global drug shipments.

Alex Nitzberg reports for Fox News Digital.