400 kilos of marijuana seized in Tulcán, five arrested

Ecuadorian authorities have seized a significant quantity of marijuana, totaling 400 kilograms, in the city of Tulcán, located in the northern Carchi province. The operation, announced by Interior Minister John Reimberg, also resulted in the arrest of five individuals who were reportedly in possession of the illicit substance.

The confiscated marijuana is equivalent to approximately 800,000 doses and was reportedly removed from the national market. In addition to the drugs, police confiscated a truck, two motorcycles, and five mobile phones as evidence. The operation took place in Tulcán, a city situated on Ecuador's northern border with Colombia.

This seizure is part of Ecuador's broader strategy to combat drug trafficking. Due to its strategic location between Colombia and Peru, major cocaine producers, Ecuador serves as a crucial transit point for international drug trade. The country has been confiscating an average of 200 tons of drugs annually since 2021, with a record nearly 300 tons seized in 2024.

The drugs transiting through Ecuador are primarily destined for markets in Europe and North America. Authorities continue their investigations to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the transportation and commercialization of the seized marijuana.