22 Tons of Drugs Found in Underground Warehouse Beneath Banana Farm... Ecuador's Largest Seizure Ever

Smuggling in Underground Tunnel Like a Movie
Authorities: "Largest Seizure in History"

A quantity of drugs worth over 100 billion won was simultaneously discovered in underground warehouses in Ecuador, where a national state of emergency has been declared.

22 Tons of Cocaine Seized in a Single Operation... Estimated Value of 134 Billion Won

Ecuadorian police arrested suspects who stormed and caused disturbances at a medical facility in Yaguachi, Guayas Province. [Image source=Ecuadorian Police X (formerly Twitter)]

On the 22nd (local time), the Ecuadorian military and police announced that approximately 22 tons of cocaine were found in the Vinces area of Los Rios province in the west-central region. The Ecuadorian police described it as the largest amount of drugs ever seized in a single operation. They explained that the street value amounts to 100 million USD (approximately 134 billion won). Some of the packages containing the drugs were found to bear the stamps of European airlines.

The Ecuadorian military stated, "About 150 military personnel confirmed the controlled substances (drugs) in an underground warehouse cleverly constructed beneath a banana plantation." They also released some videos on social media (SNS) showing the operation in progress. The scene resembled those seen in movies or TV series centered on drug trafficking. Local media, citing the military, reported, "After passing through a corridor about 20 meters long, there were several room-shaped underground warehouses, each approximately 8 meters wide, 6 meters long, and 2 meters high."

Ecuadorian Military and Police Conduct Operation to Neutralize Gangs... Footage of Detained Gang Members Also Released

The image of the escaped Ecuadorian gang leader at the time of his incarceration in August last year. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The Ecuadorian police, conducting gang neutralization operations alongside the military, have detained over 2,700 gang members and violent criminals during a two-week operation following the escape of the notorious drug cartel leader 'Pito' Adolfo Macias on the 7th. Those detained include suspects involved in the invasion of the Guayaquil TC Television live broadcast studio, as well as individuals involved in kidnapping police officers and killing local prosecutors.

Additionally, the police arrested those who caused disturbances by storming a medical facility in Yaguachi, Guayas province the day before. The police explained that these actions were carried out with the intent to protect gang members hospitalized after being shot.

In a press release, the Ecuadorian police stated, "Together with the military, we identified gang command facilities and secret prostitution establishments at a 'drug rehabilitation center' near this medical facility, capturing 68 members of the organization inside." They also shared images on SNS showing suspects lying face down on the street in their underwear or being transported to prison.