In a coordinated effort, the National Police of Ecuador conducted 26 raids in cities including Guayaquil, Machala, Quito, and Milagro, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals, among them a former councilman and assembly member from El Oro. This operation was the culmination of an investigative process that lasted one year and eight months, leading to the dismantling of a criminal organization connected to the Albanian mafia that was involved in drug trafficking through various ports in Ecuador.

The operation was carried out with the support of international agencies, including Europol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Investigation and Special Operations Unit of the Netherlands, and the Antwerp Local Police's Drug Unit, along with collaboration from Ecuador's National Intelligence Center. This collective effort not only impacted the logistics within Ecuador but also targeted operational nodes in Europe, highlighting the international dimensions of the drug trafficking issue and the cooperation among law enforcement agencies across borders.

Furthermore, this crackdown comes at a critical time as the Ecuadorian government has announced a state of emergency with a curfew from March 15 to March 30 in Guayaquil. This reflects the ongoing struggles with crime and insecurity in the region, placing pressure on authorities to implement effective strategies for law enforcement and public safety amidst rising drug-related violence and organized crime activities.