Pre-trial detention ordered for Pole captured in Santa Elena

A judge in Santa Elena, Ecuador, has ordered pre-trial detention for Jakimiec Tomasz, a Polish citizen accused of having links to the Albanian mafia and criminal groups operating within Ecuador. The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on transnational organized crime affecting the region.

Tomasz, 48, who also holds Ecuadorian nationality by naturalization, was apprehended during Operation Varsovia. Authorities identified him as a high-value target, noting that Interpol had previously issued a red notice for him concerning illicit substance trafficking. The prosecution has formally charged Tomasz with alleged arms trafficking.

According to police information, Tomasz allegedly served as a key figure connecting international drug trafficking networks. Investigators believe he acted as a liaison between the Albanian mafia, Colombian armed groups, and Ecuadorian criminal organizations such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros. The operation also uncovered evidence, including two firearms, which have been secured for further investigation. The arrest underscores Ecuador's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal structures.