15-year-old girl found in clandestine rehabilitation center in Quito

Authorities in Quito, Ecuador, have intervened in two clandestine rehabilitation centers, leading to the discovery of a 15-year-old girl. The adolescent was found alongside eight other women and has been placed under the protection of the National Directorate for Specialized Police for Children and Adolescents (Dinapen). The operations, conducted between Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, 2026, were led by the Municipality of Quito, with support from various institutions including the General Secretariat of Citizen Security and Risk Management.

The intervention at one of the clandestine centers revealed the minor, who was then handed over to Dinapen for safeguarding. The broader crackdown extended to other illicit activities. In San Antonio de Pichincha, north of Quito, authorities busted a clandestine cockfighting ring and an illegal billiards hall. Approximately 200 people and 160 roosters were present at the site, where contraband alcohol was also seized.

Further operations targeted hostels, nightclubs, and brothels, where authorities detected the sale and consumption of controlled substances and identified undocumented individuals. In one instance, a private security guard was found carrying pepper spray with expired credentials, and a cell phone contained coded information related to weapons. The coordinated efforts involved 256 personnel from various agencies, including the Metropolitan Control Agency, Metropolitan Transit Agency, Firefighters, the Intendancy, Armed Forces, and the National Police.

During the multi-agency sweep, authorities closed unlicensed brothels and arrested three individuals with active warrants. The operations also successfully curbed the sale and consumption of controlled substances in intervened hostels and nightclubs. These interventions are part of ongoing control efforts in prioritized sectors of Quito, aimed at addressing clandestine activities and situations requiring official intervention.