Since late last month, U.S. forces have stopped eight vessels, officials say, were involved in refueling drug boats traveling from South America, and those on board were handed off to Ecuadorian authorities, before the U.S. forces blew up the empty vessels.

Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere has carried out the interdictions of logistic support vessels off Ecuador’s coast since Aug. 28 with their consent and cooperation, a stark difference from the kinetic strikes they’ve carried out for more than a year now that have killed more than 200 mariners.