Seizure of 1 ton of cocaine hydrochloride on the «Island of Love» in Esmeraldas

The National Police of Ecuador, through the National Antinarcotics Directorate and the Anti-Narcotics Investigation Unit (UIAN), carried out this September 20, 2018 in Esmeraldas, an operation that allowed the seizure of 01 Tons 148 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride, destined to international drug traffic.

After several months of investigative management it was determined that a presumed organization dedicated to drug trafficking, would be gathering in the sector known as «Isla del Amor», in Mompiche-Esmeraldas, high quantities of drugs to be sent to Central America and the US, this sector by its geographical conditions, it was ideal, because of its location and difficult access.

In this way, with the support of several police units such as: Criminalistics, Mobile Anti-narcotics and Anti-narcotics Special Group, an incursion was made in the sector, leveling 3 buildings located inside this Island, in one of the homes stopped in flagrante delicto an Ecuadorian citizen, who was in charge of security, also confiscated 8 long weapons, satellite tracking devices, communication equipment, GPS, and a total of 976 brick-like packages, wrapped in brown packing tape, with the «R89» logo, which after performing the field test, tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride with a weight of 1. 148,300 grams, that is 1 MT 148 kilos 300 grams.

As a result of this operation, 11,483,000 doses of cocaine hydrochloride are prevented from reaching international markets, whose total value per dose in our country would be $ 80,381,000. The value per kilos in our country would be: $ 2,181,770 dollars, and abroad the total value per kilos would cost: $ 32,152,400 dollars. The evidence and the detainee were placed under the orders of the competent authority for the relevant procedure.

The National Police of Ecuador and the National Antinarcotics Directorate reaffirm their commitment to fight drug trafficking and dismantle the organizations dedicated to this crime, we seek a country of peace, free of violence, crime, drug trafficking and micro-trafficking.