Ecuador busts cocaine hidden in banana and cacao shipments

Ecuadorian authorities have intercepted significant quantities of cocaine concealed within agricultural export shipments. In two distinct operations at the ports of Guayaquil and Posorja, police uncovered drug smuggling attempts aimed at international markets. These seizures highlight the ongoing challenge of illicit trafficking through the country's key trade hubs.

The first operation, dubbed 'Cero Impunidad – 24956,' targeted a banana container at the Guayaquil Terminal Portuario. With the assistance of a drug-sniffing dog, officers found 90 packages containing approximately 89.55 kilograms of cocaine. The shipment was bound for Genoa, Italy. Authorities arrested Jonathan F. in connection with this discovery.

In the second operation, 'Cero Impunidad – 24929,' police employed a "blind hook" method at the Posorja Port. They identified a cacao shipment destined for Germany that concealed 631 packages of cocaine. This seizure resulted in the confiscation of about 627.845 kilograms of drugs, equivalent to roughly 6.27 million doses. Two crane operators were apprehended, believed to be involved in facilitating this illicit transport.

These incidents occur within a broader context of Ecuador's significant role in global drug seizures. The nation is recognized as the third-largest country for drug confiscations worldwide, following Colombia and the United States. Since 2021, Ecuador has recorded annual seizures of around 200 tons, reaching a record nearly 300 tons in 2024. This trend underscores the increasing reliance of international cocaine trafficking networks on Ecuadorian ports as departure points for Europe.