Alleged drug traffickers jump overboard after strike on boat convoy, US says

Published December 31, 2025 7:52pm ET



Multiple alleged drug traffickers jumped overboard and into the ocean after a Department of War strike on a suspected drug vessel convoy on Tuesday, the first of two strikes announced hours before the new year.

U.S. Southern Command announced Wednesday a total of five strikes, three against “narco-trafficking vessels” that were traveling together on Dec. 30 and two against separate vessels on Dec. 31, all in international waters along known drug routes, according to SOUTHCOM. It also said War Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strikes.

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