# US detains Ecuador boat crew as families deny drug-trafficking claims

https://mins.news/en/video/46589

- Al Jazeera English, 2026-09-05 12:48 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioVN1GIOpmc

> US forces released video of an operation off Ecuador aimed at alleged drug smugglers. After the crew was detained, relatives said they were fishermen. The raid forms part of a broader US anti-narcotics campaign.

## Related coverage

- [Families of missing Ecuadorian fishermen allege US involvement](https://mins.news/en/item/46352) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-05
- [Ecuador defends US sinking of vessels in joint anti-drug operation](https://mins.news/en/item/46220) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-05
- [Ecuador says vessel sinkings were part of joint U.S. drug probe](https://mins.news/en/item/45899) — Reuters, 2026-09-04
- [US military releases video of drug-smuggling vessel interception](https://mins.news/en/video/45693) — VOA Chinese, 2026-09-04
- [US forces board and destroy alleged cartel boat in eastern Pacific](https://mins.news/en/item/43050) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-03