Ecuadorian Police Seize Weapons, Dismantle Monitoring Center in Major Anti-Crime Operation

Ecuadorian police intervened in a private urbanization along the Vía a la Costa in Guayaquil as part of "Operation Apollo 27," a large-scale effort to dismantle criminal organizations. During Wednesday's raids, law enforcement officers searched homes and vehicles, confiscating firearms, ammunition, a rifle, and a pistol. A significant discovery was a suspected clandestine monitoring center found within one of the properties, which investigators will analyze for links to criminal activities.

General Walter Villarroel Trujillo, commander of Zone 8, stated that these monitoring centers often exploit public infrastructure to track the movements of the National Police. The broader "Operation Apollo 27" extended across multiple districts in Guayaquil and Durán, aiming to weaken criminal structures, disrupt illicit economies, and enhance public security. The operation involved 38 raids targeting groups allegedly linked to major criminal syndicates such as Latin Kings, Águilas, Tiguerones, Lobos, Lagartos, Mafia 18, Carniceros, and Choneros.

The operation focused on combating crimes including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, kidnapping, extortion, and property offenses. As a result, 28 individuals were detained, including 27 adults and one 16-year-old minor. Among those arrested, 25 are men and 3 are women, all Ecuadorian nationals. Seven of the detainees have prior criminal records for offenses like murder, drug trafficking, and robbery. Police also seized 21 firearms, ammunition, drugs, $697 in cash, seven vehicles, 25 motorcycles, communication devices, mobile phones, surveillance cameras, a laptop, passports, a scale, and military-style clothing.