Haaland's image found on cocaine packages seized in Ecuador

Ecuadorian police have seized 369 kilograms of cocaine from a truck near the Colombian border, with the packages notably bearing the image of Norwegian football star Erling Haaland. The anti-narcotics operation occurred after police acted on an anonymous tip and stopped a suspicious truck on the Pan-American Highway.

Officers discovered 370 packages of cocaine concealed within a false compartment in the truck, leading to the arrest of the driver. Police released footage showing the packages adorned with stickers featuring Haaland, a prominent player from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The authorities have not explicitly stated the reason for using the footballer's image.

However, it is common practice for drug traffickers to label their shipments with images of well-known sports figures and celebrities. This practice reportedly serves to indicate which criminal network produced the merchandise and for which client it is intended. The report noted that Haaland's popularity surged during the World Cup, making him a significant figure in viral social media content. Similarly, the image of Argentine captain Lionel Messi has also been found on other seized drug packages.

The operation took place in the Guagua Negro area, near Tulcán, approximately 246 kilometers north of Ecuador's capital, Quito. During the operation, a woman identified as María R., carrying Colombian identity documents, was also arrested. The seized cocaine is estimated to be worth nearly $11 million in the United States and over $19.6 million in Europe. Ecuador is recognized as a logistical hub for drug trafficking, with criminal gangs utilizing the country to store and transport narcotics, primarily to the United States and Europe.

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it is common practice for drug traffickers to label their shipments with the names of well-known sports figures and other celebrities as a way of indicating which criminal network produced the merchandise and which client it belongs to.