U.S. sinks second floating refueling station vessel
By The BriefBrief
The U.S. military intercepted and sank a vessel allegedly used as a floating refueling station supporting at-sea drug trafficking by Ecuador’s Los Choneros in international waters of the eastern Pacific. SOUTHCOM said the vessel was cleared without incident and those aboard were transferred to Ecuadorian authorities, after similar action destroyed another linked vessel on Friday.
WHO:U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
WHAT:SOUTHCOM intercepted and sank a vessel described as a floating refueling station supporting Los Choneros, then transferred those aboard to Ecuadorian authorities.
WHEN:Sep 2, 2026
WHERE:International waters of the eastern Pacific
WHY:The vessel was operating as a floating refueling station in support of Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian criminal organization accused of at-sea drug trafficking.
