In a shocking discovery in Puente Viejo, Loja, Ecuador, four male human heads were found inside two plastic buckets placed beside the road. The heads were discovered by law enforcement on February 22, 2026, prompting a swift police response to cordon off the area as a crime scene. The location is known to be near the border with El Oro, adding to the incident's geographical significance within the region.

The police investigation uncovered one bucket containing a handwritten message in red ink that read, "Prohibited to steal hp," suggesting a possible motive or warning related to local criminal activities. The police were alerted to the scene by the ECU 911 emergency service; however, due to the remoteness and challenging conditions of the location, the removal of the remains only took place late in the evening at around 11 PM, once specialized personnel managed to reach the site.

This gruesome incident raises concerns about rising violence in Ecuador, particularly in the context of organized crime and gang activities, which have increasingly plagued various regions of the country. The sight of decapitated heads in such public locations not only shocks the local community but also signals an alarming escalation in violent acts and the underlying fear associated with criminal organizations operating in the area.