US military boards, searches and sinks vessel allegedly supporting Los Choneros narco-terrorists

The U.S. military on Wednesday intercepted and sank a vessel in the Eastern Pacific that it said was supporting a "narco-terrorist" organization, according to U.S.

Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

SOUTHCOM said the operation targeted a vessel tied to Los Choneros, which it described as a violent narco-terrorist organization.

"On Sept.

2, 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," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization," the military added.

WHITE HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS 'STEEPEST' EVER DECLINE IN US CASUALTIES FROM CARTELS AMID BOAT STRIKES SOUTHCOM said U.S.

Marines and sailors from the USS San Antonio "interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident." The military said multiple individuals were removed from the vessel and transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

Once the individuals were safely removed, U.S. forces sank the vessel, SOUTHCOM said.

In its statement, SOUTHCOM said the operation "cuts off a critical node" in the alleged drug traffickers' illicit activities.

It did not disclose the specific location of the operation.

The action was taken in support of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM's mission to dismantle narco-terrorist networks in the region, according to SOUTHCOM.