Ecuador destroys 100,000 coca plants on Colombia border

The Ecuadorian army has intensified its anti-drug operations, destroying four hectares of coca crops, equivalent to about 40,000 plants, in the Amazonian province of Sucumbíos, which borders Colombia. This recent operation contributes to a larger effort that has eradicated over 100,000 coca plants in the past week.

Soldiers infiltrated the La Balastrera border area using air and riverine assets to destroy the plantations. The military stated this action significantly weakens structures involved in cultivating and processing illicit substances. The operation follows a previous one announced last Tuesday, where over 60,000 plants were destroyed near the San Miguel River, which forms part of the natural border between Ecuador and Colombia.

In addition to the coca crops, the previous operation also led to the destruction of an active laboratory. This facility had the capacity to produce between 80 and 120 kilograms of base cocaine paste per production cycle. The Ministry of Defense reported that these combined operations represent an economic impact exceeding $1.2 million for the criminal groups operating in the region.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that security forces are continuously targeting criminal economies at their source, reducing the resources available for drug trafficking, arms smuggling, contract killings, and other illicit activities that threaten national security. This action comes after a period of trade disputes between Ecuador and Colombia earlier in the year, initiated by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa to pressure Colombia into reinforcing border surveillance, citing the influx of cocaine from the neighboring country as a cause of Ecuador's criminal violence.