Illegal rehabilitation centre closed in south Guayaquil: 55 people found and four with outstanding arrest warrants
A kidnapping alert led police to intervene at an illegal centre in the Viernes Santo sector. The establishment was closed and four people detained.
Illegal rehabilitation centre closed in Guayaquil following kidnapping alert
An alert regarding a suspected kidnapping led to the closure of an unauthorised rehabilitation centre in the Viernes Santo sector, south Guayaquil, according to expreso.ec. The operation took place on the afternoon of Sunday, 27 September 2026.
Officers from the National Police, together with personnel from the Guayas Provincial Government and the City Intendency, intervened at the premises. Present were the governor of Guayas, José Arévalo; the commander of Police Zone 8, Walter Villaroel; and intendenta Anunziatta Tinoco Noblecilla.
During the inspection, the authorities verified that the establishment lacked the necessary authorisation documents to operate. The premises were intervened and sealed.
Inside were 55 people who were supposedly receiving treatment for addiction. The users were removed and transported by bus to be handed over to their families or, as appropriate in each case, referred to centres authorised by the Ministry of Health.
During identity verification, four people were identified as having active arrest warrants. Police did not specify the history or offences for which they were wanted. All remained in police custody to continue with the corresponding proceedings.
Regarding the origin of the alert, officers determined during the intervention that one person had been taken to the centre against their will, which partially confirmed the initial report of unlawful detention.
The operation was carried out in the context of security measures implemented by the Government in Guayas and other provinces across the country. Authorities indicated that controls continue in order to detect establishments operating irregularly.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil