US Forces Sink Floating Gas Station Used by Narco Smugglers in the Pacific The US military has destroyed a floating refueling vessel in the Eastern Pacific used by drug traffickers linked to the notorious Los Choneros cartel. United States military forces have executed a high-profile operation against narcotics traffickers in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. The US Navy and Marine Corps targeted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific that functioned as a floating gas station, supplying fuel to smugglers thousands of miles away from the mainland. Operating under an order from the US Southern Command, service members boarded the vessel, conducted thorough searches, and ultimately sank it beneath the ocean waves. Lawmakers described this decisive action as a major blow designed to sever the logistical lifelines of international narco-terrorism networks. Connection to the Notorious Los Choneros Syndicate This military operation has been directly linked to Los Choneros, a powerful and violent criminal organization originating from Ecuador. The syndicate is heavily involved in cocaine trafficking, contract killings, weapons smuggling, extortion, and various other organized crimes. While its influence has long extended across South American territory, its maritime smuggling routes have been equally devastating. By dismantling this offshore fuel support network, international law enforcement and military assets have dealt a significant setback to the cartel's operational capabilities. How the Offshore Refueling Network Operated Floating refueling vessels are vital for drug cartels because small, high-speed boats lack the fuel capacity to traverse vast oceanic distances without stopping. Receiving mid-ocean refueling allows smuggling operations to run smoothly and evade traditional coastal patrols. Marines and Sailors stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS San Antonio carried out the mission by intercepting, boarding, and subsequently destroying the vessel. This initiative goes far beyond sinking a single boat; it systematically dismantles the logistical infrastructure of fuel, watercraft, and maritime routes that sustains the global drug trade. Origins and Rise of the Los Choneros Gang Los Choneros stands as one of the most powerful and ruthless criminal factions in Ecuador, with roots tracing back to the Manabi province in the 1990s. Early leadership figures included Jorge Bismarck Veliz Espana and later Jorge Luis Zambrano, commonly known as Rascina. Following Rascina's assassination in 2020, the organization fractured into competing factions such as Los Lobos and Chone Killers. Despite these internal schisms, key figures managed to maintain substantial influence over significant portions of the broader smuggling network. The Reign and Escape of Fito Among the most prominent figures in the syndicate's history is Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, widely known as Fito. Convicted in 2011 on murder and drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 34 years in prison, Fito infamously continued to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars. His escape from prison in January 2024 unleashed a massive wave of violence across Ecuador, triggering prison riots and street chaos that forced the government to declare an internal armed conflict against drug gangs. Law enforcement eventually recaptured Fito in June 2025 near Manta, and he was extradited to the United States in July 2025 to face federal charges. Ongoing Pressure on the Cartel's Logistics Fito's extradition placed immense pressure on Los Choneros, leading authorities to target several of his suspected associates, including Francisco Manuel Bermudez Cagua, alias Churron, who was poised to take on a prominent leadership role. The United States officially designated Los Choneros as a foreign terrorist organization in September 2025. Targeting their maritime logistics network represents a direct strategy to cripple their operational mobility, although authorities acknowledge that organized crime remains a persistent challenge in the region despite these disruptions. What this means for you This military intervention against offshore smuggling logistics will have a direct impact on international drug supply chains and maritime security protocols. • Globally: Such naval operations disrupt illicit narcotics trafficking routes across international waters and severely weaken the operational logistics of major transnational criminal syndicates. • Security Measures: Navies worldwide are likely to adopt a more aggressive posture against floating fuel stations and supply vessels used by cartels in remote oceanic sectors. Questions & Answers 1. What did the US military destroy in the Pacific Ocean? The US military destroyed a floating refueling vessel in the Eastern Pacific used to supply fuel to drug traffickers. 2. Under whose orders was this military operation conducted? The operation was carried out under the direct order of the US Southern Command. 3. Which criminal syndicate is linked to this operation? The operation has been linked to Los Choneros, a notorious criminal organization based in Ecuador. 4. Who is Fito and why is he notable? Fito, whose real name is Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, is a key leader of Los Choneros who famously escaped from prison in January 2024. 5. When and where was Fito recaptured? Fito was recaptured in June 2025 near Manta, Ecuador, before being extradited to the United States. https://trendkia.com/en/america/amerika-ne-nashta-kiya-taskaron-ka-phlotinga-gaisa-steshana-prashanta-mahasagara-men-27427 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.