Hegseth says US has conducted its 8th strike on suspected drug-smuggling boat in Eastern Pacific

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the U.S. military has conducted its eighth strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific.

The Tuesday night strike was in the Pacific Ocean, unlike the first seven in the Caribbean Sea, according to the Associated Press. 

Hegeth said in a social media post that the strike occurred on a vessel being operated by a "Designated Terrorist Organization" that was conducting "narco-trafficking" in the region. 

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics," he also wrote.

In addition, Hegseth said the strike was conducted in international water and both narco-terrorists aboard were killed.

"Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness – only justice," he also said.