Ecuador seized a total of 187 tons of drugs in the first half of 2024

Ecuador has achieved remarkable results in drug control this year.

On August 26 local time, the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Ecuador reported that the country has achieved major results in drug control operations this year, seizing a total of 187 tons of drugs, an increase of 23% compared to last year.

Since January this year, the armed forces of Ecuador have deployed a total of 31,000 soldiers and police forces and carried out as many as 211,000 operations nationwide. In addition to an astonishing quantity of drugs, nearly 3,000 deadly weapons have also been seized, 15 illegal border crossings, 10 drug processing laboratories and 33 secret runways for drug-trafficking aircraft have been destroyed, causing about 1.755 billion US dollars in economic losses to criminal organizations. Official data shows that the number of deaths caused by violent incidents across Ecuador in 2024 has decreased by 17% compared to last year.

Ecuador is located in a special position with many drug-producing countries around it, making it an important channel for drug trafficking. However, through large-scale deployment and crackdowns this year, it has made breakthrough progress in drug control, effectively curbing the spread of drugs and related criminal activities, making important contributions to regional security and stability, and also showing the international community its firm determination to combat drug crimes. But the work of drug control still has a long way to go. Ecuador will continue to strengthen its crackdown and safeguard the safety and health of the country and its people.