Eight arrested in Ecuador anti-extortion operations

Ecuador's National Police have dismantled extortion rings through a series of tactical operations across four provinces, leading to the arrest of eight suspects and preventing over $35,000 in illicit payments. The operations, carried out by the National Unit for Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion (Unase), targeted criminals demanding money from merchants and citizens.

In El Oro province, Operation Libertad 976 followed a complaint from a business owner who received a pamphlet demanding $10,000 to avoid harm to her and her family, with the threat attributed to the group Los Lobos Box. Police arrested Mario M., Joel B., and Rodin G., seizing six mobile phones and three motorcycles used for intimidation in Pasaje. These individuals have prior records for offenses including murder and drug trafficking.

Operation Libertad 977 in Machala led to the arrest of a suspect linked to delivering an extortion pamphlet demanding $20,000 from another victim. Evidence collected included eight mobile phones and a bank receipt. Meanwhile, Operation Libertad 978, conducted simultaneously in Portoviejo, Santo Domingo, and Guayaquil, involved victims receiving WhatsApp messages with threats from armed individuals. Four suspects were arrested, including two inmates operating from prison, and five mobile phones were confiscated.

In a separate incident in El Oro, authorities rescued a citizen held against his will. Andrés J., Kenneth C., and Jandry D. were arrested, and a minor was detained. This operation, conducted under Executive Decree 472, also resulted in the seizure of a car, a motorcycle, and four cell phones. The police efforts aim to curb the rising tide of extortion impacting businesses and individuals across Ecuador.