Over Twenty Arrested in Arms Trafficking Bust Across Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru

Ecuador, in collaboration with its neighbors Peru and Colombia, has successfully dismantled a significant international arms trafficking network. The operation, spearheaded by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Ecuador and supported by its counterparts in Colombia and Peru, led to the apprehension of more than twenty individuals and the execution of 29 raids across seven Ecuadorian provinces.

The investigation revealed a sophisticated smuggling scheme where illicit weapons, explosives, and ammunition were allegedly brought into Ecuador from Peru via the southern border. From there, the material was reportedly channeled to Colombia, with key storage points identified in Imbabura and Carchi provinces, allegedly managed by individuals known as 'Taty' and 'Alba.' The final destination for some of these arms was Ipiales, Colombia, where 'Daniel' is said to have coordinated supplies to dissident groups.

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We are dismantling an organization for international trafficking of arms, explosives, and ammunition. It is an operation in three countries where the impact is Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. It supplies the Los Lobos group, in the case of Ecuador.

This operation is a critical component of Ecuador's broader strategy to combat organized crime, particularly in light of President Daniel Noboa's declaration of an "internal armed conflict" in 2024. The government has intensified its fight against criminal gangs, now designated as "terrorists," including the prominent 'Los Lobos' group, which is reportedly a recipient of these trafficked arms. Despite these efforts, Ecuador grappled with a record number of homicides in 2025, underscoring the persistent challenges.

Minister of the Interior, John Reimberg, highlighted the extensive nature of the operation, involving over 400 police officers and spanning more than eleven months of investigation. The successful interdiction of explosive materials—fifteen seizures in total, ten in Ecuador and five in Colombia—demonstrates the transnational reach of this criminal enterprise. From the perspective of ABC Color, this bust is a significant victory in the regional fight against organized crime, showcasing the importance of international cooperation in securing borders and disrupting the flow of illegal arms that fuel violence and instability.

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already have several judicial processes