Ecuadorian authorities announced the success of a major security operation resulting in the seizure of 2.3 tons of cocaine in Tulcán, the capital of Carchi province located on the border with Colombia, during a security inspection near the border.

Authorities arrested several individuals linked to the operation, including truck drivers, who are now under investigation to determine their connections to international trafficking networks. This operation is one of the largest drug seizures in Ecuador this year. The country ranks third worldwide in drug seizures after Colombia and the United States, with a total of about 300 tons of drugs seized in 2024.

Ecuador lies between Colombia and Peru, the world’s largest cocaine producers, making it a key corridor for drug trafficking to international markets, especially the United States and Europe. Reports indicate that Colombia, which produced about 2,600 tons of cocaine in 2023, is the main source of drugs passing through Ecuador.

Tulcán, located on Ecuador’s northern border, is a hotspot for smuggling due to its proximity to rural areas in Colombia controlled by drug cartels. The region has seen increased trafficking activities in recent years, prompting Ecuadorian authorities to enhance security measures, including deploying specialized units such as the “National Unit for Information on Ports and Airports” and the “Mobile Special Anti-Drug Team.”