"Today's interdiction and sinking of a floating refueling station used for at-sea drug trafficking operations dealt a direct blow to the logistics network fueling narco-terrorists and cartels in the Western Hemisphere. By severing this critical maritime node, our Joint Force — spearheaded by the precision and professionalism of our Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere aboard USS San Antonio — fractured a primary artery of this illicit logistics chain and sent an unmistakable message to narco-terrorists across the region." - #SOUTHCOM# Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @DeptofWar @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU

Dismantling narco-trafficker networks: The Aug. 28 interdiction and sinking of a floating refueling station used for at-sea drug trafficking operations dealt a decisive blow to the logistical networks of narco-terrorists and cartels in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17), led the interdiction in coordination with the Government of Ecuador. The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) is committed to defeating narco-terrorists in the region. More: #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU @DeptofWar @DeptofWar

According to a release from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), at the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) conducted an interdiction of a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that was acting as a refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations for the Los Choneros narco-terrorist organization. After the individuals on board were turned over to Ecuadorian authorities, the vessel was destroyed Following the lull in such operations, after the twin earthquakes in Venezuela and subsequent U.S. support operations there, the tempo of U.S. SOUTHCOM operations against designated organizations in known drug trafficking maritime lanes has picked up significantly.

🚨 BOOM: TRUMP AND HEGSETH JUST BLEW UP A FLOATING NARCO GAS STATION US Marines and Sailors surged from the USS San Antonio, interdicted and CLEARED the whole vessel, then blew it up 👏🏻 I voted for this! "This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks."

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chief with Littoral Combat Force-24 surveys the area during the Aug. 28 interdiction of a vessel operating as a floating refueling station for drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

U.S. Marines with Littoral Combat Force-24 and U.S. Sailors with USS San Antonio (LPD 17) approach USS Gridley (DDG 101) during a Maritime Interdiction Operation Full Mission Profile while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 21, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the #SOUTHCOM# area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, @DeptofWar-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. #JTFWHEM# @The24MEU @USMC @MARFORSOUTH @SecWar @USNavy @NAVSOUS4THFLT

In 2023, fentanyl killed nearly 5,000 Floridians. By 2025, the death toll from fentanyl had fallen to 2,000.  Florida’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program has supercharged law enforcement capacity to keep our communities safe from deadly illicit drugs. We have strengthened drug interdiction efforts, supported law enforcement operations to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking syndicates, and increased access to life-saving tools like naloxone for first responders. In addition to the 60% decline in fentanyl overdose deaths, the latest Florida Medical Examiners Commission report found that deaths caused by fentanyl analogs have declined by over 50%. The data also show broader declines in all drug-related deaths over the past year. We will continue supporting law enforcement and remain committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Floridians.

Me: So you spent Trillions of taxpayer dollars on the F-35 program? Uncle Sam: Yes. Me: And what emerged was the most advanced stealth fighter any country has ever fielded? Uncle Sam: Yes (takes a bow). Me: But you’re now telling me UPS magically diverted highly sensitive F-35 parts to Hong Kong? Uncle Sam: Ummmm. Yes (beginning to sweat). Me: And the Pentagon didn’t know about this until after the fact? Uncle Sam: Correct. Me: So there was no real-time tracking and interdiction? Uncle Sam: It appears that way. Me: So you basically just lost highly classified, ITAR restricted parts? Uncle Sam: That’s correct. Me: No wonder you need $1.5T. Also, sue $UPS into oblivion.

On Sept. 2, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM# Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and in coordination and collaboration with the Government of Ecuador, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) successfully interdicted a vessel operating as a floating refueling station in support of illicit at-sea drug trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating in support of the Los Choneros violent narco-terrorist organization. U.S. Marines and Sailors, launched from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), interdicted, boarded, searched, and cleared the vessel without incident. Individuals removed from the vessel were safely transferred to Ecuadorian Authorities. Once cleared, U.S. forces sank the vessel. This interdiction cuts off a critical node in the traffickers' logistics chain and advances the goals of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) and JTF-WHEM to dismantle narco-terrorist networks. The @DeptofWar and the A3C remain unwavering in their mission to defeat narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere and defend our homeland. "We are taking decisive action to dismantle and destroy sophisticated logistics networks used by narco-terrorists to traffic drugs and spread violence throughout the Western Hemisphere. This operation demonstrated the elite capabilities and precision of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which is on watch in the region to apply total systemic friction on these networks." — SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan #A3C# #JTFWHEM# @SecWar @USMC @USNavy @USEmbassyEc @DefensaEc @The24MEU

.@ARedbord, Global Head of Policy at @TRMLabs, testified today before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. “Finance itself is moving on-chain; stablecoins, tokenized securities, and deposits. The same programmable infrastructure that makes real time interdiction possible today, will define how we fight financial crime across the entire financial system tomorrow.” Protect users. Fight crime.