US Treasury Targets Ecuadorian Cocaine Trafficking Network

The US Treasury has announced sanctions against 15 individuals involved in a large-scale cocaine trafficking network operating in Ecuador. The network, which spans across multiple countries, allegedly ships thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Ecuador to the United States each month.

According to the Treasury Department, the operation uses Ecuador-based fishing vessels to secretly transfer cocaine to power boats, known as go-fast vessels, which then transit north through the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPAC) and into US territory. The drugs are then smuggled into the US by the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), both of which have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by the US government.

The targeted individuals are allegedly part of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, two Ecuadorian gangs that have been previously designated as FTOs by the US. The Treasury Department has stated that these groups have been using legitimate fishing businesses as a cover for their illicit activities.

Ecuador has struggled to contain drug violence since 2021, with rival cartels partnering with local gangs and battling for control of routes and coastal ports used to smuggle cocaine. The country’s homicide rate has skyrocketed, with a record 50 murders per 100,000 residents recorded last year, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

The US has been working closely with Ecuador to combat the growing problem of drug trafficking in the region. In a recent meeting with Ecuadorean Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo, US Southern Command Gen. Francis Donovan announced plans to deploy two warships with interceptor boats and helicopters to patrol Ecuador’s territorial waters and support the fight against drug trafficking.

The deployment is expected to triple the country’s interdiction capabilities in the maritime zone, with three Black Hawk helicopters set to conduct operations in the region. The US has been increasing its efforts to combat the growing problem of drug trafficking in Latin America, with the Trump administration pushing for expanded joint anti-drug trafficking operations in the region.

The sanctions against the 15 individuals are part of the US government’s efforts to disrupt and dismantle the cocaine trafficking network. The Treasury Department has stated that the sanctions will target those who have provided material support to the network, including those who have provided financial or logistical support.