US sinks third alleged Ecuador drug gang boat in a week
QUITO: The US military said it had blown up another boat with alleged links to Ecuadoran drug gangs, bringing to three the number of vessels it has sunk in the area in a week.
The US military has sunk three boats in a week, all reportedly linked to Ecuadoran drug gangs, according to Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This marks a broader US campaign of strikes on alleged Latin American drug boats, resulting in over 200 deaths since last year. The latest operation targeted a vessel operating as a floating refuelling station, supporting illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations, in the Eastern Pacific.
Intelligence confirmed the boat was working with Los Choneros, a notorious Ecuadoran gang tied to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. Ecuador's Navy recovered 28 crew members from the boat, and Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa supports the US campaign against drug trafficking.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Ecuador says vessel sinkings part of joint US drug trafficking probe hindustantimes.com
