Ecuador Police Arrest 12 Suspected 'Los Lobos' Gang Members on Coast

Ecuadorian police apprehended twelve individuals suspected of belonging to the Los Lobos criminal gang during an operation in Santa Ana, located in the coastal province of Manabí. The raid, which took place around 1:00 AM local time, was conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces as part of the ongoing state of exception.

During the operation, police searched two properties and detained the twelve Ecuadorian nationals. Authorities believe they are part of a faction of Los Lobos, identified as one of the most active criminal organizations in Ecuador. The suspects are allegedly involved in intimidation and illegal possession of firearms.

Nine of the twelve detainees have previous criminal records for offenses including kidnapping, murder, robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons possession. The police also confiscated three firearms, 22 rounds of ammunition, two magazines, a vehicle, two mobile phones, twelve grams of marijuana, and a bag.

The arrested individuals were taken for medical evaluation before being handed over to judicial authorities. Los Lobos is among the armed groups designated as "terrorist" organizations under the "internal armed conflict" declared by President Daniel Noboa in early 2024 to combat organized crime.