Quito Said Saturday That the 26 Crew Members of the Ship, Named María Candelaria, Were Captured and Taken to the Port City of Manta.

The U.S. Navy attacked and sank a vessel it says was supporting an international drug-trafficking organization in Ecuadorian waters, in an operation carried out with Ecuadorian authorities, according to MTI. Quito said Saturday that the 26 crew members of the ship, named María Candelaria, were captured and taken to the port city of Manta. Authorities said the vessel was aiding Los Choneros, a criminal group suspected of numerous violent acts that operates in Ecuador as well as Colombia, Peru, and Mexico.