FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
In coordinated operation with Europol, the Netherlands and the US, authorities report a hit worth $346 million on the European market
The National Police of Ecuador has dismantled a criminal structure linked to the Albanian mafia, which operated in the provinces of Guayas, Pichincha and El Oro. The operation ended with 16 arrests, 26 house searches and the seizure of 7.64 tons of narcotics, which according to authorities have an estimated value of 346 million dollars on the European market, writes "El Diario".
The detainees were transferred to the Zone 8 air police unit, while investigations were conducted in cooperation with European and American agencies.
According to the Police, the investigation began in October 2024, following an operation in the Barbones sector, in the El Oro province, where half a ton of drugs was seized and three people were arrested. From that stage, the Ecuadorian authorities coordinated the actions with Europol, as well as with the authorities of the Netherlands, Belgium and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Ecuador's Interior Minister, John Reimberg, stated that the organization was using Ecuadorian ports to "contaminate" shipments destined for Europe.
"26 checks were carried out in different provinces of Ecuadorian territory, leading to the arrest of 16 people ," he said.
Parallel operations in Europe
Authorities announced that investigations revealed direct links to Albanian citizens, considered priority targets in parallel processes in Spain.
Simultaneous operations were conducted in the Netherlands, where 2.5 tons of drugs were seized and five people with Dutch and Romanian citizenship were arrested in Operation Victoria. Another 1.2 tons were seized in Operation Victoria II, with no arrests reported.
In another operation in European territory, 3.2 tons were seized and three Albanian citizens were arrested. According to authorities, the total amount of drugs seized in Europe and Ecuador amounts to 7.64 tons.
Minister Reimberg emphasized that the economic impact on the criminal organization "exceeds 346 million dollars."
Seized assets and persons involved
During the raids in Ecuador, police reported seizing 14 luxury vehicles, 20 cell phones, firearms, jewelry, and over $800,000 in cash found in homes connected to the network.
Among those arrested is Hernán Ruilova, captured in Machala, who according to the minister was part of a structure that dealt with mixing drugs in shipments destined for Europe. Also arrested was former deputy Salomón Padua, who, according to the authorities, is being investigated for involvement in organized crime and drug trafficking.
Authorities have not released further details on the specific role of each detainee, while investigations continue.
Government announces new operations
The Interior Minister confirmed that an operations center had been set up in Ecuador with the participation of Europol agents, Antwerp Police, the Dutch national investigation unit and the DEA, to monitor the intervention.
He also announced that between March 15 and 30, further operations are expected to take place in four provinces, within the framework of the state of emergency and curfew declared by the country's president.
According to the minister, cooperation with the United States includes information exchange, arms seizures and actions against illegal shipments. He added that a decrease of about 10% in violent murders was recorded in February, as part of the strategy against criminal structures.
Lini një Përgjigje