Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the latest in a series of strikes on boats accused of ferrying drugs, killing six people in attacks on two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

“The ship’s structure suggests that it was capable of long-distance voyages, likely used for maritime trade or naval operations,” officials said.

Lured by shorter voyage times and commensurate cost savings, shipping companies have dipped their propellers into the frigid Arctic waters since the northerly routes became commercially viable due to warmer conditions about 15 years ago.