[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

3 clusters · 38 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Nationwide drug seizures and arrests in Ecuador

Overview

Ecuadorian authorities have expanded their anti-drug efforts through several major nationwide operations, resulting in significant narcotics seizures and arrests.

In the Carchi province near the Colombian border, police intercepted a truck near Guagua Negro containing approximately 469.6 kilograms of cocaine. The shipment was notable for its packaging, as 370 blocks were wrapped in stickers featuring the face and name of Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland, alongside images of a soccer ball and the World Cup trophy; some packages also reportedly featured Lionel Messi. Authorities clarified that this “criminal branding” is used by organized crime to identify the quality or origin of shipments and noted no link to the athletes. The cocaine has an estimated value of $842,000 in Ecuador and over €17 million in Europe. A Colombian national, María Camila R., was detained and placed in preventive prison.

Beyond Carchi, law enforcement confiscated 1.5 tons of cocaine—comprising 1,600 blocks intended for Central and North America—in Esmeraldas. In Quito, the “Apolo 36” operation resulted in the arrest of seven individuals and the seizure of 15 kilograms of drugs. Interior Minister John Reimberg also reported the deportation of a Colombian national from Carchi wanted for kidnapping, homicide, and arms trafficking.

In the port city of Machala, authorities intercepted a fruit container containing over two tons of cocaine. According to Minister Reimberg, the shipment was destined for Sweden.

Entities

Lionel Messi · Ecuadorian National Police · Erling Haaland · John Reimberg · Attorney General's Office of Ecuador

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    International crime: Cocaine seizure in Ecuador and major art theft in France

    Ecuadorian authorities seized over two tons of cocaine destined for Sweden, while thieves stole paintings worth over 100 million SEK from a French museum.

  2. 27 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Ecuadorian police seize large cocaine shipments in nationwide operations

    Ecuadorian police seized over 460kg of cocaine in Carchi marked with Erling Haaland's image, alongside a 1.5-ton drug bust in Esmeraldas and multiple arrests in Quito.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 31 sources
    Ecuador police seize 469kg of cocaine marked with Erling Haaland's face

    Ecuadorian police seized 469kg of cocaine from a truck near the Colombian border. The packages were uniquely marked with stickers of footballer Erling Haaland.

Sources

aordemnaturaldascoisas.blogs.sapo.pt · bild.de · blueprint.ng · breitbart.com · canal44.com · charlescausleyfestival.co.uk · contramuro.com · diario.mx · drvnoticias.com · elbuentono.com.mx · eldeportivo.com.co · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · elfinanciero.com.mx · eltiempomx.com · europesays.com · excelsior.com.mx · expreso.ec · extra.ec · fanatik.ro · fight.org · fuentesfidedignas.com.mx · haberaktuel.com · hindi.sportskeeda.com · jurnalul.ro · larevista.com.ec · magasinetparagraf.se · nova.rs · nyhetspressen.se · odia.ig.com.br · primeralinea.mx · sport.ro · theblast.com · veja.abril.com.br · vesti-online.com · wap.nrk.no · wochentlich.de · wtop.com · www2.prosport.ro

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history