Unraveling the drug trafficking network in Ecuador
Introduction
Ecuador has evolved into a business directly linked to drug trafficking, where criminal organizations establish deeply rooted networks to launder money and facilitate drug trafficking. Despite being under surveillance, these networks operate with impunity, securing contracts with the state and participating in international trade. This report, based on a joint investigation by ECUAVISA and CONNECTAS, analyzes the current situation, identifying patterns of behavior, involved actors, and institutional responses.
Key Points on the Security Crisis in Ecuador
Colombian Cocaine: Colombian cocaine is the single most important root cause of violence in Ecuador. According to UNODC, Ecuadorian law enforcement seized 179 tons of cocaine in 2022, compared to only 98 tons in 2016, an increase of 45 percent. However, in comparison, Ecuador seized 65 tons of cocaine in 2009 but only 18 tons in 2010.
Geographical Reality: Ecuador is literally situated between two major cocaine-producing countries, with easy access to the Pacific Ocean and a complete coastline that provides quick illicit maritime access for cocaine flow to Central America, the United States, and Europe. Coupled with its advantageous geographical location, Ecuador is the only country in South America that uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, making illicit banking and money laundering operations unique along the eastern Pacific.
Gang Rivalries: The struggles for control over drug trafficking have intensified violence, especially among gangs such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos. The control over cocaine in Ecuador has visibly spilled into Ecuadorian society.
Impact of Drug Trafficking: The demobilization of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia People’s Army or FARC-EP) left a significant vacuum that has been exploited by local criminal groups and transnational criminal organizations, including Mexican and Albanian cartels.
Factors of Instability: The rising production of cocaine in Colombia, the fragmentation of Ecuadorian gangs, and the weakness of the state have all contributed to the security crisis.
Violence and Its Consequences: Violence affects both the local population and migrants, with an increase in threats and extortion levels. Many families who fled Colombia to Ecuador are considering returning due to the situation in Ecuador.
Government Reactions: The Ecuadorian government has declared a state of emergency, increasing prison capacity, but these measures have not succeeded in curbing violence or the power of gangs.
Increase in Migration: The security crisis has led to heightened interest in emigration, affecting the social and economic stability of the country. Ecuadorian nationals are often found along the U.S. southern border awaiting illegal crossing into the United States.
The Assassination of Fernando Villavicencio
Fernando Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian presidential candidate and outspoken critic of corruption and organized crime, was assassinated on August 9, 2023. His murder shocked the nation and highlighted the escalating violence linked to drug trafficking and political corruption in Ecuador.
Timeline of Events
July 2023: Fernando Villavicencio, running for president, intensified his campaign against corruption and the influence of drug cartels in Ecuador. He openly criticized criminal organizations and their infiltration into politics.
August 9, 2023: Villavicencio was targeted while leaving a campaign event in Quito. His assassination occurred a few weeks prior to the Ecuadorian presidential election, raising concerns about the safety of political figures in Ecuador.
Immediate Aftermath: Following the assassination, Ecuadorian authorities launched an investigation to apprehend those responsible for Villavicencio’s murder.
August 2023: Authorities arrested several individuals believed to be connected to the assassination, including members of organized crime groups. Investigations revealed that Villavicencio was targeted due to his efforts to combat corruption and drug trafficking.
September 2023: The investigation identified the mastermind behind the assassination as a leader of a criminal organization with direct ties to drug trafficking. The motive for the killing is attributed to Villavicencio’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and his potential threat to their operations.
In Ecuador, the deaths of seven Colombian nationals accused of participating in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio were confirmed. The arrested individuals died under questionable circumstances, with six found in the Litoral Penitentiary near Guayaquil and one more in a prison in Quito.
Names of the Deceased:
1. Jhon Gregore R.
2. Andrés Manuel M.
3. Adey Fernando G.
4. Camilo Andrés R.
5. Sules Osmin C.
6. José Neyder L.
7. (Name of the seventh not specified)
Details of the Deaths
The cause of death has not been officially determined, but reports indicate that some bodies found in the Litoral Penitentiary showed signs of strangulation. The incidents occurred in Pavilion 7 of the prison, where they were held.
Villavicencio’s murder, a former deputy and journalist who denounced corruption, occurred on August 9, 2023, when he was shot while leaving a campaign event. Ecuadorian authorities have begun to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the accused and the management of the National Service for the Comprehensive Attention of Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI), as a transfer order had been issued to ensure their safety, which was not fulfilled.
Blame on Colombia for the Drug Trafficking Crisis
The drug trafficking crisis in Ecuador cannot be understood without considering the influence of Colombia, which has established itself as one of the largest cocaine producers in the world. Cocaine production in Colombia has alarmingly increased, and its geographical proximity to Ecuador has facilitated criminal groups taking advantage of this situation. Colombia faces significant challenges in its fight against drug trafficking, and the effects of this crisis quickly extend to Ecuador, which has become a strategic point for drug trafficking. The Colombian government thus far has not taken any responsibility for the violence created by the illicit cocaine trafficking trade in Ecuador.
The demobilization of the FARC and the subsequent fragmentation of the guerrilla group created a power vacuum that was quickly filled by other criminal organizations. These gangs, including Los Pelusos and the Gulf Clan, have expanded their operations into Ecuador, increasing violence and drug trafficking in the country. The lack of effective control over illicit crops in Colombia allows cocaine production to continue rising, which in turn fuels demand and trafficking in Ecuador.
Colombia’s refusal to eradicate coca to a more manageable number of fields and production resulted in increased cocaine production to more than 250,000 hectares. Under President Gustavo Petro, a more “humanitarian” approach to eradication was implemented, which has been criticized for its lack of effectiveness. This approach has not significantly reduced coca production and has led to increased violence in producing regions.
The situation is further complicated by the “Hugs Not Bullets” policy of President Manuel López Obrador in Mexico, which has failed to contain drug trafficking violence and has allowed cartels to strengthen. The lack of a forceful and effective response to drug trafficking in Colombia and Mexico has contributed to instability in Ecuador and allowed criminal networks to grow uncontrollably. Cocaine remains a highly profitable drug marketed and used around the world more than fentanyl.
Eradication Policies and the Drug Trafficking Problem
The closure of Ecuador’s Forward Operating Location (FOL) in Manta, ordered by former president Rafael Correa, further weakened Ecuador’s capacity to combat drug trafficking. This base was key for intelligence and surveillance operations, and its closure left a vacuum exploited by criminal organizations. Correa’s decision to distance himself from the United States and its security policies largely contributed to regional instability and the increase in cocaine trafficking in the eastern Pacific.
Legal Situation of Ecuadorian Ex-Officials
The key points regarding the legal situation of Ecuadorian ex-officials, especially Rafael Correa and Jorge Glas, are as follows:
Million-Dollar Debts: Ecuador seeks to recover a total of USD 154 million from ex-officials convicted of corruption, including Correa and Glas, who each owe USD 778,224, in addition to Glas, who faces an additional condemnation of USD 7 million in the Odebrecht case.
Carlos Pólit: Former Comptroller Carlos Pólit, convicted in the U.S. for money laundering, owes the Ecuadorian State USD 40.4 million. Despite having paid USD 14 million as bail, the U.S. Prosecutor’s Office considers him guilty of laundering USD 16.5 million.
Ineligibility to Enter the U.S.: Correa and Glas have been declared ineligible to enter the United States due to their acts of corruption, and this ineligibility extends to their immediate family members.
Asset Seizure: Ecuadorian authorities have seized some properties related to the convicted, including an apartment in Esmeraldas and part of Correa’s inheritance.
Judicial Sentences: Correa was sentenced in 2020 to eight years in prison for aggravated bribery in the Sobornos case, while Glas also faces an eight-year sentence. Rafael Correa remains in self-exile in Belgium while Jorge Glas remains in prison in Ecuador.
Investigations and Convictions: The investigation in the Sobornos case revealed that bribes were accepted in exchange for government contracts, directly affecting the ruling party and several high-ranking officials in Correa’s administration.
These points highlight the severity of the legal situation of these ex-officials and the efforts of the Ecuadorian State to recover lost funds due to corruption.
Corruption in Institutions
On December 14, 2023, approximately 30 people were arrested in Ecuador as part of an investigation into drug trafficking-related crimes. Those arrested included:
Wilman Terán: President of the Council of the Judiciary, the body responsible for administering the judicial function in the country.
Several prosecutors: Implicated in cases related to corruption and drug trafficking.
Judges: Multiple judges who were allegedly involved in illicit activities.
Police: Police agents, including a former general who worked in the penitentiary administration.
Prison Guides: Officials operating within prisons, also implicated in the investigation.
The arrest of these individuals is part of a broader operation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking and corruption networks that have permeated state institutions. The Attorney General, Diana Salazar, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that this case is clear evidence of how drug trafficking has infiltrated judicial and political structures in Ecuador.
Operation Australian Fever
Operation Australian Fever, which took place from 2015 to 2017, was one of the most effective U.S. law enforcement operations in the Eastern Pacific designed to combat drug trafficking in the region. This operation focused on dismantling drug trafficking routes used by the FARC and Mexican groups, as well as processing laboratories in Colombia. The laboratories, located near the mangroves in the Tumaco region, produced between 1,000 and 2,000 kilos of cocaine per week.
The trafficking process worked as follows: once cocaine was processed in the laboratories, it was sent through a network of rivers leading to the Pacific coast. The cocaine loads were buried near the riverbanks in storage areas, waiting to be picked up. Criminal groups established checkpoints and patrols to protect their loads. If a boat was stopped by these patrols and failed to convince the guards of its identity, the occupants were executed.
During peace negotiations between President Santos and the FARC in Cuba, the Gulf Clan took control of part of the territory in the Nariño region, altering the balance of power in drug trafficking.
The vessels used to transport cocaine, made of fiberglass in Ecuador, were taken to Colombia, where two 75-horsepower engines were installed to convert them into fast boats. Ecuadorian artisanal fishermen were hired to operate these vessels, receiving a payment of 25,000 dollars per trip, with 15,000 dollars in advance and 10,000 dollars upon delivering their illicit loads, in addition to expenses.
Each vessel was equipped with a GPS, a satellite phone, a compass, and a laminated card with the coordinates of three refueling stations along the route. The cocaine loads were all destined for the United States through various countries in Central America, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, before reaching the United States.
The refueling stations were located 150 nautical miles off the coast of Ecuador, near the Galapagos Islands. If the boats were chased or spotted by an aircraft, they could communicate with the person in charge of the load or the receiver of the load via satellite phone. The cocaine was packaged in bags, each kilo protected by tape and coated with a rubber material so that it would float and be protected from water, allowing for post-jettison recovery efforts. In case of being pursued, the bales were jettisoned in the ocean, and they waited two to three days for another vessel to recover the load.
Once the load reached its destination, the boats were sunk or left adrift in the ocean. In the case of semi-submersibles, if the cocaine was exchanged for weapons, the weapons were returned south in the same vessel; otherwise, the boat was also destroyed by sinking it in the ocean.
Operation Australian Fever lasted two years, from 2015 to 2017, and highlighted the complexity and sophistication of the drug trafficking networks operating in the region.
Actors Involved in Drug Trafficking
The investigation has identified several prominent traffickers and their respective criminal organizations that have exploited this power vacuum and institutional weakness:
Leandro Norero Tigua: Known as El Patrón, he was a drug trafficker who used his business scheme to obtain contracts with the state before being murdered in 2022.
Stalin Olivero Vargas: Alias El Marino, a member of the Los Lagartos gang, has been involved in criminal activities through his security company.
Enrique Portocarrero Castillo: Known as Chugo Porto, he is the owner of Vitefel S.A., which changed its focus from cosmetics to fish exports, facilitating drug trafficking.
Julio Martínez Alcívar: Alias Negro Tulio, leader of Los Chone Killers, who, along with his partner, Alexandra Estrada, acquired Arkhe Proyectos y Construcciones S.A.S.
William Joffre Alcívar Quiñonez: Alias Papá de Willy, leader of Los Tiguerones, who has used partnerships and companies to legitimize his criminal activities.
Marco Antonio Pérez U.: Alias La Burra, a member of Los Fatales, involved in drug trafficking and currently on the list of the most wanted.
Henri Darwin Gómez A.: A member of Los Tiguerones, also on the most wanted list and linked to various companies.
Edgar David Lara Alao: Associated with Los Chone Killers and a figure on the most wanted list.
Identified Companies
The investigation has revealed several active companies linked to members of criminal organizations:
Guayas:
Vigpromax Cia Ltda: Security company located in Guayaquil, used as a front for criminal activities.
Arkhe Proyectos y Construcciones S.A.S.: Registered in Durán, this company received a municipal contract shortly after its incorporation.
Transmodesloor S.A.: Heavy cargo transportation company based in Esmeraldas, acquired by Chugo Porto.
Manabí:
Four companies in Manta and Portoviejo: Although specific names were not detailed, their operations were confirmed.
Esmeraldas:
Asociación Técnico del Pacífico: Based in Esmeraldas, used by members of Los Tiguerones to legitimize their activities.
Ranger del Pacífico Ranpac S.A.S.: Construction company linked to criminal activities.
Imbabura:
An active company in Ibarra: Although no specific details about its name were provided, its operation in this province was confirmed.
Conclusion
The announcement by the Ecuadorian government regarding the leaders of the narco-criminal gangs represents a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking, but it also highlights the persistent challenges facing the country. The role of Colombian coca and cocaine policies is detrimental, particularly to the survival against criminal organizations in Ecuador, and are not helping weaker regional nations in Latin America. International collaboration and a comprehensive strategy are essential to address the roots of the problem and dismantle the networks operating in Ecuador, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. The war against drug trafficking is a complex process that requires a coordinated and sustained approach to achieve effective results. The situation of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, also known as “Fito,” illustrates the complexity of drug trafficking in the region, highlighting the political and economic implications it has in countries like Chile, Brazil, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, and underscores the need for effective international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
By, William Acosta, NYPD (Ret) and Jesús Daniel Romero, USN (Ret)
Credits
This report is based on a joint investigation by ECUAVISA, CONNECTAS, El Comercio, La Hora, El Telégrafo, Infobae, and BBC News, which have provided extensive data and analysis on the situation of drug trafficking in Ecuador. We thank the journalists and researchers who contributed to the collection of information and the dissemination of these findings, helping to shed light on this complex phenomenon and its implications for the security and stability of the country.
