VIDEO: Navy, Marines Interdict Second Suspected Narco Refueling Station
Sailors and Marines assigned to USS San Antonio (LPD-17) interdicted and destroyed a second suspected narco logistics vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday in coordination with Ecuadorian forces as part of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, reads a statement from U.S. Southern Command. Sailors and Marines, “interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel are being safely transferred to Ecuadorian Authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel,” reads the statement. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.” In video released by SOUTHCOM, an 11-meter
Sailors and Marines from USS San Antonio (LPD-17) interdict a suspected narco logistics vessel, Sept. 2, 2026. US Southern Command image Sailors and Marines assigned to USS San Antonio (LPD-17) interdicted and destroyed a second suspected narco logistics vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday in coordination with Ecuadorian forces as part of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, reads a statement from U.S. Southern Command.
Sailors and Marines, “interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel are being safely transferred to Ecuadorian Authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel,” reads the statement. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization.”
In video released by SOUTHCOM, an 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat and a U.S. Marine UH-1Y Venom launching from San Antonio converged on the suspected logistics vessel. Following the boarding, the SOUTHCOM video shows the vessel exploding.
Sailors and Marines from San Antonio destroyed a suspected narco logistics vessel connected to Los Choneros late last month in conjunction with Ecuadorian forces.
The interdiction comes one year into Operation Southern Spear’s lethal campaign against suspected narco boats. To date, there have been 68 publicized strikes that have resulted in at least 227 deaths.
