The US Coast Guard on Thursday said it intercepted suspected drug smugglers carrying narcotics worth more than $61 million.
The three boats were stopped on May 8 about 145 kilometres off Cartagena, Colombia, the agency said, adding that the nearly 2.8 tons of cocaine on board alone had a value of more than $45 million.
One vessel failed to comply with orders and was disabled by "precision sniper fire directed at the engines," the Coast Guard said.
The suspected smugglers on board then jumped into the water. The aircrew released several flotation devices and the people were rescued with no reported injuries, according to the agency.
"The other two vessels stopped when directed by Coast Guard crews," the Coast Guard said.
A video released by the Coast Guard appeared to show three boats burning after the operation.
US President Donald Trump's administration is taking a hardline approach to drug trafficking from South and Central America. There have repeatedly been reports of such operations, often involving fatalities. The information is generally difficult to verify independently.
The US administration cites its designation of drug cartels as terrorist organizations as the legal basis for the attacks. Critics, however, question whether deadly strikes in international waters are permissible under international law.
