Anti-drug operation in Ecuador: 18 detained for cocaine trafficking, including an Albanian

A coordinated operation involving Ecuador’s National Police, the Attorney General’s Office and Europol has ended with the arrest of 18 people suspected of being part of an international cocaine trafficking network spanning South America and Europe.

According to Ecuadorian authorities, the operation, codenamed “Gran Fénix 0043-Azkaban,” carried out on July 8, struck an organization suspected of trafficking approximately 7.5 tons of cocaine, with an estimated value of $225 million on the illegal market.

Among those arrested is Albanian national P. D., whom authorities claim served as the coordinator and representative of European criminal organizations in Ecuador.

According to the investigation, he is suspected of acting as an intermediary between criminal groups in South America and trafficking networks in Europe, organizing cocaine shipments.

Also arrested was Polish national Jakimec Tomasz, for whom an Interpol red notice had previously been issued. Authorities say he is suspected of having set up shell companies used to conceal drug shipments transported by sea.

According to the investigation, the organization had been active at least since 2019 and had built ties with armed groups in Colombia, as well as criminal organizations in Ecuador. Authorities said the cocaine moved from border areas to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Guayas, Azuay and El Oro, where it was then prepared for shipment to Europe.

The narcotics were hidden inside containers carrying legal goods, including bananas, coffee, seafood and timber. The shipments were allegedly destined for the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Poland.

During the operation, 16 Ecuadorian nationals were also arrested, suspected of having roles in transporting, storing and protecting the activities of this organization.

Authorities seized mobile phones and electronic devices, which will undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation. All those arrested have been placed at the disposal of the courts, while the investigation continues to identify other people involved and fully uncover the criminal network’s activities.