Ecuador army uncovers multiple clandestine graves in anti‑gang raid in La Troncal

During a June 30 military operation against the organized‑crime group Los Águilas in the La Puntilla sector of La Troncal, Cañar Province, Ecuadorian armed forces located several clandestine burial pits. The raid followed intelligence reports of a cartel involved in drug trafficking, extortion and attacks. An armed clash resulted in three suspects being detained, and investigators recovered four rifles, two revolvers, two pistols, a sub‑machine gun, ammunition, four blocks of cocaine and additional weapons.

Preliminary examinations suggest the buried bodies belong to members of rival criminal organizations, though forensic analysis is required to confirm identities and the exact death toll. The military handed the site over to the National Police, which will lead the ongoing investigation and evidence processing.