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8 clusters · 25 sources · 32 days · First seen · Last updated

Ecuadorian police operations against organized crime

Overview

Ecuadorian law enforcement has conducted several operations targeting various forms of criminal activity across different regions. In Guayas and Tungurahua, police arrested individuals involved in extortion and the theft of copper cable. In Playas, the Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion Unit (Unase) detained two adults and one minor suspected of demanding $5,000 through threats. In Ambato, three Colombian nationals were arrested for allegedly stealing approximately 300 meters of copper cable from the electrical company EEASA. Following these actions, the National Police launched the ‘Apolo 36’ operation in the Quito Metropolitan District, targeting the Eloy Alfaro and Quitumbe districts, which resulted in the arrest of seven individuals for drug trafficking and the seizure of 19 kilograms of suspected cocaine. In the Esmeraldas province, raids in the Esmeraldas and Quinindé cantons led to the arrest of six individuals linked to three separate extortion investigations. Authorities seized seven mobile devices, one firearm, and one motorcycle during these operations. In north-central Quito, police dismantled a suspected international extortion call center operating under the guise of the company Latameris Support S.A. at the Torre Blanca building. The raid resulted in the arrest of ten individuals, including a Chinese national identified as suspected leader Yang Xiao Long. Investigators uncovered messages containing threats, sexual intimidation, and violent imagery used to extort victims both within Ecuador and internationally. On August 22, 2026, UNASE conducted operations across five provinces—Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Esmeraldas—resulting in the arrest of 24 individuals suspected of kidnapping and extortion. Subsequently, during ‘Operativo Libertad 978’, police dismantled an extortion ring operating from within correctional facilities, including the Guayas N.° 4 Regional Prison. On August 27, 2026, security forces continued nationwide crackdowns. In early September 2026, security operations expanded. On September 2, 2026, the newly established Directorate of Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion Investigation (Dinae) began operations.

Entities

Quito · John Reimberg · Ecuadorian National Police · National Police of Ecuador · Guayaquil

Timeline

  1. about 20 hours ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    Ecuadorian police launch specialized anti-extortion unit and conduct border arrests

    Ecuadorian police launched the Dinae unit to combat kidnapping and extortion, rescuing nine victims and detaining 60 people, while also arresting a drug trafficking suspect at the Rumichaca border.

  2. about 21 hours ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Quevedo merchant extortion case leads to suspect's arrest

    A man in Quevedo, Ecuador, faces preventive detention for allegedly extorting USD 18,000 from a merchant through threatening messages and bank deposits.

  3. 2 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Quito police operations in Calderón spark security results and political tension

    Police operations in Quito's Calderón district led to significant drug and weapon seizures, while local political candidates accused authorities of attempting unlawful arrests during a public event.

  4. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 10 sources
    Ecuador security operations target organized crime in Guayaquil and Quito

    Ecuadorian police and military have launched multiple operations against organized crime, resulting in weapon seizures in Guayaquil, nightlife closures in Quito, and arrests for extortion and terrorism.

  5. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Quito police arrest three suspects in teenage extortion case

    Ecuadorian police arrested three suspects in Quito and Otavalo following an extortion attempt against a 13-year-old boy involving threats of violence and drug involvement.

  6. 15 days ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources
    Ecuador security forces conduct nationwide crime crackdowns

    Ecuadorian police and military forces have conducted multiple operations nationwide, seizing explosives, drugs, and weapons while arresting several suspects linked to extortion and organized crime.

  7. 24 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Ecuadorian police arrest six in Esmeraldas extortion raids

    Six people were arrested during police raids in Ecuador's Esmeraldas province following investigations into alleged extortion and threats against victims.

  8. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Ecuadorian police arrest suspects in extortion and copper theft cases

    Ecuadorian police arrested three individuals for a $5,000 extortion attempt in Playas and apprehended three Colombian nationals for stealing copper electrical cables in Ambato.

Sources

alairenoticias.com · cerolatitud.ec · cronica.com.ec · diariolosandes.com.ec · ecuadorcomunicacion.com · ecuadorendirecto.com · eje21.com.co · elcomercio.com · elcomercio.com.ec · eluniverso.com · expectativa.ec · expreso.ec · extra.ec · flamaplus.com.ec · informatemanabi.com · lanacion.com.ec · laregionhoy.cl · leo.bo · metroecuador.com.ec · noticiasaldiayalahora.co · notimercio.ec · partidodelaliberacion.com.ar · pilardetodos.com.ar · radiocolosal.com · tn23.tv

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history