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Group linked to Albanian mafia busted in Ecuador, 26 arrested
2026-03-12 20:53:25 / AKTUALITET
A large-scale operation against drug trafficking has led to the arrest of 26 people and the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of narcotics. The operation, codenamed “Bremen”, was carried out after a 20-month investigation and targeted a criminal structure linked to the Albanian mafia and the “Los Lagartos” organized crime group.
According to foreign media, 20 checks were carried out in several provinces of the country, specifically in Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Chimborazo, as part of the operation. As a result of the interventions, 26 people were arrested, while around 300 kilograms of drugs and five luxury vehicles were seized.
According to authorities, the investigation began after the discovery in 2024 of 1.1 tons of drugs hidden in auriferous material, i.e. materials containing gold. The discovery of this cargo led to the deepening of the investigation, which later enabled the seizure of about 2.5 tons of drugs.
According to official estimates, the seized drugs represent an economic loss of more than $68 million for criminal organizations.
Investigations show that the gang operated along the entire logistics chain of goods transportation. Its members recruited people connected to ports, private security, and transporters to facilitate the smuggling of drugs out of the country.
The illicit cargo was hidden in containers carrying gold ore and bananas. In some cases, the drugs were placed before the containers entered the port, while in other cases, the cargo or the internal structure of the containers was contaminated during transport.
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