- Ecuadorian authorities fight against drug trafficking
- The cocaine was disguised in 5,630 parcels
- Five arrests have been made
Ecuadorian authorities have scored a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking, seizing a staggering 6.23 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment.
Alert sniffer dogs led police to the massive haul during a routine inspection at Posorja Port near Guayaquil. The cocaine, disguised in 5,630 parcels, was cleverly concealed beneath legitimate banana crates destined for Germany. With a street value of $224 million, this seizure represents a significant blow to transnational criminal gangs.
Five arrests have been made, including the export company representative who facilitated the inspection and provided information on four other suspects. These include the managers of the banana plantation suspected of introducing the drugs and the driver who transported the container.
Ecuador’s strategic location makes it a prime target for drug cartels operating in South America. In 2023 alone, the country seized over 200 tonnes of drugs, ranking behind only the US and Colombia in global drug confiscations.
President Daniel Noboa’s efforts to combat drug-related violence through increased security presence are showing results. This latest seizure builds on the record-breaking 22-tonne cocaine bust discovered earlier this year.
Despite these successes, Ecuador continues to grapple with high levels of extortion, kidnappings, and murders. The fight against organized crime remains a top priority for the Andean nation.
