In international waters of the Eastern Pacific on Tuesday, U.S. forces carried out a precision strike on a vessel suspected of smuggling illegal drugs, resulting in two fatalities, officials reported. The operation came after intelligence work identified the ship as part of a wider narcotics-running route.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the action followed confirmed intelligence indicating the vessel’s role in large-scale drug transport. “Verified intelligence indicated the vessel was carrying narcotics and operating along known narco-trafficking passages,” he said.

Authorities said the strike was designed to disrupt transnational criminal networks while limiting harm to civilians and avoiding interference with commercial maritime traffic. U.S. military leaders described the operation as carefully planned and targeted.

The incident highlights growing attention to maritime security in the Eastern Pacific, a vital corridor for illicit drug movement. U.S. officials said they will continue tracking smuggling activity and take proactive measures against organized crime that threatens regional stability.