New U.S. sanctions target cocaine smuggling network in Ecuador
Summary
The U.S. government announced new sanctions on 15 people and companies in Ecuador and 10 ships for their involvement in cocaine smuggling. This network helped move large amounts of cocaine to Mexico, where drug cartels then sent it to the U.S.Key Facts
- The sanctions target individuals and groups linked to Ecuadorian gangs Los Choneros and Los Lobos, both listed by the U.S. as terrorist organizations.
- These gangs used fishing boats from Manta, Ecuador, to transport thousands of kilograms of cocaine monthly.
- Smaller fast boats were refueled by these vessels to move drugs through the eastern Pacific Ocean toward Mexico.
- Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación received and distributed the cocaine in the U.S.
- The U.S. Treasury froze assets of those sanctioned and prohibited U.S. citizens from doing business with them.
- Violating these sanctions can lead to fines or criminal charges, and foreign banks helping these groups risk further penalties.
- The action supports ongoing U.S. efforts like Operation Pacific Viper to stop drug trafficking in the Pacific region.
- The Treasury worked with other U.S. agencies and Ecuadorian forces in these counternarcotics efforts.
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