US Treasury sanctions Ecuador-to-US cocaine trafficking network
Summary
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 15 people involved in a drug network that shipped large amounts of cocaine from Ecuador to the United States through Mexico. Ecuador and the U.S. are working together to fight drug trafficking, including increased naval patrols near Ecuador’s coast.Key Facts
- The U.S. sanctioned 15 individuals linked to a cocaine trafficking network from Ecuador to the U.S.
- The network used Ecuador-based fishing boats to secretly move cocaine to fast boats traveling through the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- Two Ecuadorian gangs, Los Choneros and Los Lobos, are involved and have been called foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S.
- The cocaine is smuggled through Mexico by the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, also designated terrorist groups.
- Ecuador has faced growing drug violence and had its highest murder rate in decades in 2023.
- Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa and U.S. President Donald Trump have increased cooperation on counter-drug efforts.
- Two U.S. warships with interceptor boats and helicopters will patrol Ecuador’s waters to help stop drug trafficking.
- Ecuador’s Defense Minister announced that U.S. support will triple their ability to stop drugs at sea, using three Black Hawk helicopters based in Manta.
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