U.S. Military Strikes Drug-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific

The U.S. military struck a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific on May 26. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed the vessel was operating along a specific drug trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and involved in illicit activities.

The operation resulted in the death of one suspect accused of drug trafficking, while two others survived. There were no U.S. military casualties in the operation. U.S. Southern Command immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to commence search and rescue operations for the survivors.

The operation was carried out on May 26 by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, which conducted a fire strike on the vessel under the direction of U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.

The Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea are utilized as drug smuggling routes. Criminal organizations primarily use small, high-speed vessels to transport narcotics. U.S. Southern Command oversees military operations in these regions and is tasked with disrupting drug trafficking networks linked to organized crime.