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Albanian mafia network hit in Ecuador, 16 arrested, over 7 tons of drugs seized

2026-03-03 19:00:04Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Albanian mafia network hit in Ecuador, 16 arrested, over 7 tons of drugs seized
Some of those arrested

An international operation has hit a criminal organization linked to Albanian citizens, which was operating from Ecuador towards the European drug market.

As a result, 16 people were arrested and a total of 7.64 tons of cocaine were seized, with an estimated street value of around $346 million in Europe.

According to Ecuadorian media reports , the network with Albanian connections operated in the provinces of Guayas, Pichincha and El Oro, using Ecuadorian ports to send containers contaminated with cocaine to European Union countries.

The investigation began in October 2024, following the seizure of approximately half a ton of drugs in the Barbones area, in the El Oro province, where three people were arrested. Since then, authorities have been working closely with Europol, authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Parallel operations in the Netherlands led to the seizure of 2.5 tons of drugs in Operation Victoria, with five arrests, and another 1.2 tons in the second phase of the operation. In another operation, 3.2 tons of cocaine were confiscated and three Albanian citizens were arrested. In total, 7.64 tons of drugs were seized in Europe alone.

Investigations have identified direct connections of the network with Albanian citizens, considered priority targets even in operations conducted in Spain.

During the raids in Ecuador, 14 luxury vehicles, 20 cell phones, firearms, jewelry and over $800,000 in cash were seized, suspected of being proceeds from international cocaine trafficking activity.

Among those arrested are Hernan Ruilova, captured in Machala, as well as former assemblyman Salomon Padua, suspected of involvement in organized crime and drug trafficking.


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