In the operation, which was carried out after a year of investigations, some 15 kilos of cocaine, cash, 50 9-millimeter (mm) caliber cartridges, six gas grenades and two radios were seized.
Ecuador and the Netherlands dismantled a gang that trafficked drugs camouflaged in flowers, reported the Interior Minister of the South American country, Juan Zapata.
“Three flagrante operations were carried out in Ecuador and one in Amsterdam”detailed the official through his Twitter account.
In Ecuador, in particular, there were 19 raids, in which 12 people were arrested. According to the general commander of the country’s National Police, Fausto Salinas, the Actions They were carried out in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.
The @policeecuador dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to the trafficking of illicit substances. In 19 raids, 12 subjects were arrested. In addition, three flagrante operations were carried out in Ecuador and one in Amsterdam, thanks to international cooperation. pic.twitter.com/k1iAQoPD0g
— Juan Zapata (@CapiZapataEC) March 28, 2023
In addition to the detainees, the operations in Ecuadorian territory seized 15 kilograms of cocaine, cash, 50 9-millimeter (mm) caliber cartridges, six gas grenades and two radios.
The Interior Minister stated that in the Netherlands “a significant amount of cocaine was seized”although he did not specify how much.
The Dante operation had more than a year of investigation and the following were seized:- 15 kg of cocaine- cash- 50 9 mm caliber cartridges- 6 gas grenades- 2 radios In the Netherlands a significant amount of cocaine was seized. #CrusadeForSecurity 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/NgMlOOSMbM
— Juan Zapata (@CapiZapataEC) March 28, 2023
Zapata and Salinas specified that this operation, which was called ‘Dante’, was carried out after more than a year of investigation.
The drug was hidden in flower boxes for export whose destination was Europe, reported Primicias. Shipments were made from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, so it is presumed that the network was made up of workers from the air terminal’s unloading area.
Last Sunday, the Police found 344 kilograms of cocaine hidden in dozens of boxes of bananas that were going to be sent to Greece.
The illicit shipment, which was transported in a container to one of the Guayaquil ports, was intercepted by security forces in the Los Ceibos sector of that city.
Source: RT
