In the framework of the international cooperation that emerged in 2013 thanks to the Presidential Statement “Ecuador- Colombia: Vecindad Para la Prosperidad y el Buen Vivir”, signed by presidents Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia) and Rafael Correa (Ecuador), a joint investigation conducted by Prosecutor´s Offices and Antidrug authorities from both countries led to the arrest of 36 people and seizure of three and a half tons of cocaine.
This joint work was conducted in compliance with one of the commitments stipulated in the agreement and was related to the fight against drugs in both countries.
The Colombo-Ecuadorian drug trafficking network was engaged in trafficking drugs that were manufactured in the municipalities of Samaniego, Llorente, Túquerres and Ipiales in the Department of Nariño. The drug was transported across Ecuadorian border zones and Ecuadorian sea ports for the final shipment to the Unites States and Central America.
The organization´s modus operandi consisted in using trucks with sophisticated caches where cocaine was concealed. Members of public force from both countries supported this criminal structure, however they were taken to prison.
In March 11th, this organization was completely dismantled since 11 members were arrested. These arrests included ringleaders and people who was in charge of logistics and the trucks gear assembly in which the drug was transported.
These 11 detentions were legalized by a supervisory judge (control de garantías) and charges will be brought for drug trafficking, manufacturing or possession of drugs, criminal conspiracy, bribery, money laundering today in the city of Pasto (Nariño).