Ecuador seizes 2.2 tons of drugs at sea, detains six people

Ecuador's Navy has intercepted a significant drug shipment, seizing approximately 2.2 tons of narcotics off the coast of Esmeraldas province, near the Colombian border. The operation resulted in the arrest of six individuals, all Ecuadorian nationals.

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This is probably the biggest blow to drug trafficking at sea so far this year. It is an impact on the illicit economies of narco-terrorist groups of around $80 million.

Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo hailed the bust as potentially the largest maritime drug seizure of the year, estimating the economic blow to "narco-terrorist groups" at around $80 million. He stated that this disruption prevents illicit funds from fueling violence and criminal activities within Ecuador.

During the operation, naval forces intercepted two vessels at sea. Inside, they discovered 73 containers, which appeared to be fuel drums but actually held packages of the illicit substance, believed to be cocaine. The minister emphasized that such financial losses directly impact the resources criminals use to acquire weapons, pay for assassinations, and corrupt officials.

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This economic impact is not insignificant; this is money that returns to Ecuador and generates violence.

Loffredo also indicated that the operation benefited from the cooperation of unspecified "allied countries." The seizure is thought to be a major blow to the Los Lobos criminal group, identified by the U.S. and Argentina as the largest "terrorist" organization in Ecuador. Ecuador, situated between Peru and Colombia, the world's top cocaine producers, has become a critical transit point for drugs heading to Europe and North America.

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This is money that returns to Ecuador and generates violence... to buy weapons, pay hitmen, and buy consciences.