Mayor of Vinces detained on money-laundering charges: 16 properties raided across three provinces
Juan Alfonso Montalván, mayor of Vinces, was detained on Wednesday by the prosecution as part of Operation Gran Fénix 066. Sixteen properties were raided across Los Ríos, Azuay and Guayas provinces.
Operation Gran Fénix 066 detains mayor of Vinces on suspected money-laundering charges
Juan Alfonso Montalván, mayor of Vinces canton in Los Ríos province, was detained on Wednesday 28 October 2026 during "Operation Gran Fénix 066", conducted by the Office of the Public Prosecutor and the National Police, according to metroecuador.com.ec. The operation included simultaneous raids on 16 properties distributed across three provinces.
The proceedings were carried out simultaneously in Los Ríos, Azuay and Guayas. Authorities collected as evidence cash, documentation and firearms during the searches. The prosecution has not specified in which cantons each raid was carried out nor the exact amounts of money found.
Interior Minister John Reimberg confirmed the scope of the operation through his official account on X. In that statement he identified Montalván as the alleged leader of the structure engaged in money laundering. The investigation also extends to the official's family circle, although the prosecution has not detailed what role is attributed to each of those investigated.
The inquiries revealed alleged financial links between those implicated and individuals prosecuted for drug trafficking, arms trafficking and organised crime. The network would be connected with judicial cases known as Narcofiesta, Gran Fénix Cantabria and Metástasis, as well as with the criminal groups Los Choneros and Los Lobos.
"Sooner or later the law reaches everyone and nothing goes unpunished," Reimberg stated when announcing the results of the operation.
The prosecution confirmed the execution of arrest warrants against several people, including the mayor himself, identified in the official statement as J. A. M. C. The total number of those detained had not been specified up to the time of the latest available update.
The institution has not yet publicly reported on the origin of the resources under investigation, the economic amount linked to the case or the financial operations that motivated the proceedings. A date for the hearing to formalise charges nor possible precautionary measures has not been communicated either.
The items gathered during the operation form part of the investigative process. The determination of their connection to the alleged crime of money laundering shall be determined by the competent judicial authorities. The detention does not imply a sentence nor establish criminal responsibility; those involved retain the right to the presumption of innocence.
The prosecution indicated that it would expand information about the results of the operation and the next steps in the judicial process.
Source: Google News EC — Crime