A drug trafficking network from Ecuador to EU countries has been hit by the Spanish police in coordination with Europol, where the Albanian police and SPAK also participated.
As part of this international operation codenamed 'La Pampa', 31 people were arrested in Spain and Ecuador, 25 cars, 10 firearms, electronic equipment worth about 13 million euros and nearly 3 million in cash in different currencies and assets were seized. seized with a total value of about 48 million euros.
Law enforcement authorities launched an investigation into an Italian businessman of Argentine origin living in Marbella. Further investigation revealed that these companies were used to hide criminal activities and financial transactions. The authorities identified the businessman's criminal relationship with an Albanian citizen residing in Ecuador. The Albanian citizen orchestrated the importation of cocaine from Colombia to Ecuador and its subsequent distribution in the EU. The operative information shows that the businessman had a contractual agreement with Colombian suppliers to get 4 tons of cocaine every month to Ecuador.
The organization employed Ecuadorian fruit companies as a front to import cocaine into the EU, using various transport methods. Smaller quantities of cocaine were often hidden inside banana shipments, ranging from 15 to 40 kg. Despite the varying amounts, the company has consistently denied any involvement in trafficking activities. The organization organized the transportation of large loads of cocaine from the port of Guayaquil to the port of Algeciras and other European ports .'- Europol announces.