US Embassy Ecuador, 3 March 2026

Los Estados Unidos concluyó con éxito una operación conjunta con Europol (Agencia de la Unión Europea para la Cooperación Policial) y autoridades ecuatorianas que desmanteló la organización transnacional de narcotráfico Hernán Ruilova Barzola, vinculada al cártel de Los Lobos.… pic.twitter.com/UWlMQlqlng

— US Embassy Ecuador (@USembassyEC) March 3, 2026

The United States successfully concluded a joint operation with Europol (the European Union's Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation) and Ecuadorian authorities that dismantled the transnational drug trafficking organization Hernán Ruilova Barzola, linked to the Los Lobos cartel.

Thanks to the coordination between Ecuador, the United States, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, the detention of 16 suspects was achieved, including a high-value target, the seizure of significant quantities of cocaine and cash, and the dismantling of a complex money laundering and corruption scheme.

This complex operation is another important milestone in disrupting the operations and finances of narcoterrorists, directly contributing to the security of the United States. These concrete results strengthen international cooperation for the benefit of the American people, with a global impact.

OPERACIÓN COSTA

346 MILLONES DE AFECTACIÓN ECONÓMICA A LAS ECONOMÍAS CRIMINALES EN 1.8 MESES DE INVESTIGACIÓN.

Esta madrugada, la Policía Nacional ejecutó 26 allanamientos y capturó a 16 personas en Guayaquil, Machala, Quito y Milagro donde incautó cerca de USD 1 millón en… pic.twitter.com/It0H8R7pwu

— John Reimberg (@JohnReimberg) March 3, 2026

OPERATION COAST

346 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT ON CRIMINAL ECONOMIES IN 1.8 MONTHS OF INVESTIGATION.

This morning, the National Police executed 26 raids and captured 16 individuals in Guayaquil, Machala, Quito, and Milagro, where they seized nearly USD 1 million in cash, high-end vehicles considered luxury in the country, batches of jewelry, and weapons.

This criminal structure operated as tentacles of the Albanian Mafia in Ecuador; likewise, it was responsible for contaminating containers in the country's ports with drugs to be shipped to international destinations. Throughout this time, 4 major operations were carried out in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ecuador; in cooperation with international agencies, Europol, and the DEA, which enabled the seizure of 7.4 tons of drugs.

EVIDENCE
14 vehicles seized
20 cell phones
Firearms: long 02, short 04
Seized money: approximately USD 1
Cause: organized crime


To the mafias: zero impunity, and we will dismantle all criminal structures and their economies.

We continue working.