Updated: Navy, Marines Interdict Fifth Suspected Narco Refueling Station
U.S. forces with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere interdicted the fifth floating refueling station on Tuesday, U.S. Southern Command announced via social media. U.S. sailors and Marines removed individuals aboard the vessel, who were transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the refueling station was cleared, U.S. forces sank it, SOUTHCOM said in an X post. This is the second floating refueling station interdicted by the joint task force this week, with the others in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, USNI News previously reported. On Monday, Marines and sailors also interdicted a floating refueling station. Once the crew was cleared, U.S. forces
U.S. forces boarded and sank a narco refueling station on Sept. 7, 2026. US Southern Command image U.S. forces with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere interdicted the fifth floating refueling station on Tuesday, U.S. Southern Command announced via social media.
U.S. sailors and Marines removed individuals aboard the vessel, who were transferred to Ecuadorian authorities. Once the refueling station was cleared, U.S. forces sank it, SOUTHCOM said in an X post.
This is the second floating refueling station interdicted by the joint task force this week, with the others in coordination with the Ecuadorian government, USNI News previously reported. On Monday, Marines and sailors also interdicted a floating refueling station. Once the crew was cleared, U.S. forces sank it.
The stations are allegedly involved with Los Choneros, an organized crime syndicate based in Ecuador, according to the SOUTHCOM posts.
It is unclear why SOUTHCOM has shifted its approach to a strategy of interdicting refueling stations. SOUTHCOM has not announced any strikes on alleged drug boats since posting about the first interdiction in late August.
The last reported strike on a suspected drug boat was Aug. 25, USNI News reported.
