In a significant anti-drug operation involving Ecuador and the United States, authorities arrested five suspects and confiscated 1.9 tons of narcotics from drug trafficking boats moving through the Pacific Ocean. This initiative is part of a broader campaign spearheaded by the Trump administration targeting narco-boats in the Pacific and Caribbean regions. The Ecuadorian Ministry of National Defense announced the outcome, highlighting the collaborative efforts in tackling organized crime at sea.

The first phase of the operation occurred in international waters, approximately 263 nautical miles southeast of the Galápagos Islands. Here, two Ecuadorian nationals were apprehended alongside the seizure of nearly 1.9 tons of illegal drugs. This demonstrates not only the reach of the operation but also the escalation of Ecuador's role in combating drug smuggling operations amid increasing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.

The second phase of the operation took place within the exclusive economic zone of Ecuador, about 154 nautical miles west of Santa Elena province. During this intervention, authorities successfully seized an additional 56 kilos of drugs. The operation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by organized crime in maritime routes and the importance of international cooperation in fighting drug trafficking, particularly in regions heavily affected by narcotics trade like the Pacific Ocean.