28 crew members released after U.S. forces intercepted and sank two boats at sea

The 28 crew members from two boats intercepted and sunk by U.S. forces in the Pacific have been released after arriving in Manta, Ecuador. Their lawyer said prosecutors failed to show a judge that they were suspected of committing a crime.

The boats, Conquista II and OM2, were intercepted between Wednesday and Thursday by the U.S. Joint Task Force of the Western Hemisphere, in coordination with Ecuadorian authorities. U.S. Southern Command said they allegedly operated as floating refueling stations and supported drug-trafficking operations for Los Choneros, Ecuador's oldest criminal group.

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The judge heard the arguments, ordered a period for evidence and requested information from the Navy, the Defense Ministry and the U.S. government through the Foreign Ministry to find out what happened on Sept. 2, because at the hearing neither the Interior Ministry nor the Navy explained why the interception took place.

Fernando Bastidas, a lawyer with Guayaquil's Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, said his group filed a habeas corpus petition for the nine people aboard Conquista II. The judge ordered a period for evidence and requested information from the Navy, the Defense Ministry and the U.S. government through Ecuador's Foreign Ministry about what happened on Sept. 2. Bastidas said neither Ecuador's Interior Ministry nor the Navy explained the reason for the interception during the hearing.

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The prosecutor could not demonstrate to the judge that there were suspicions that any crime had been committed.

Bastidas said a similar issue arose during the parallel hearing for the nine crew members of Conquista II and the 19 aboard OM2. He said the habeas corpus case would continue to establish responsibility for alleged forced disappearance and to stop what he called a practice occurring at sea. He noted that forced disappearance can be brief, saying the fishermen were intercepted on Sept. 2 and information that the coast guard was going to retrieve them emerged only on Sept. 3.

Bastidas also said Conquista II had carried 17 people, eight of whom remained missing, although the Navy said on Friday they were traveling toward port aboard another boat. Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg said the vessels served as logistical support for smaller boats carrying drugs to Mexican ports and then the United States. Relatives rejected the allegation, saying the men were fishermen. Another boat, the María Candelaria, was intercepted at sea on Saturday, according to a video posted online by one of its crew members.

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These are vessels that have been used for logistics for other small boats that begin tying up, loaded with drugs, and then leave for Mexican ports before going to the United States.