Hair salon closed in Quito for alleged drug activity

Authorities in Quito, Ecuador, have shut down a hair salon in the La Pradera sector for operating without the necessary municipal authorizations. The closure followed an inspection by the Metropolitan Control Agency (AMC) and the National Police.

During the operation, police discovered evidence indicating the establishment was allegedly involved in the clandestine sale and distribution of narcotics. Inspectors found a container with blocks of a whitish substance, a digital scale, and small plastic bags, which authorities believe were used for weighing, dividing, and packaging drugs.

The owner of the business faces a potential economic sanction of up to $1,880 for operating without permits, a violation classified under Category I establishments. Additionally, four individuals identified inside the premises, who allegedly lacked regular migratory status in Ecuador, were apprehended and handed over to judicial authorities for further investigation.

This closure occurs as Quito experiences a rise in enforcement actions against hair salons and barbershops. In the first eight months of 2026, the AMC initiated 91 sanctioning processes against such businesses, surpassing the 73 cases opened throughout all of 2025. The number of definitive closures has also tripled, increasing from three in 2025 to nine in 2026.

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The owner of the business could face an economic sanction of up to 1,880 dollars.