FBI and Ecuador's Office of the Attorney General sign agreement to combat organised crime
The FBI and Ecuador's Office of the Attorney General formalised a framework for cooperation to investigate drug trafficking, money laundering and arms trafficking. The agreement expands bilateral collaboration already underway.
FBI and Ecuador's Office of the Attorney General coordinate investigations against drug trafficking
The FBI and the Office of the Attorney General of Ecuador signed a formal agreement to exchange information and conduct parallel investigations against organised crime, according to clarin.com citing a statement from the United States embassy in Quito released on Tuesday.
The agreement establishes "a formal framework for sharing information, coordinating operations, strengthening capabilities and conducting parallel investigations", the diplomatic mission indicated. Through that framework, it added, "cases involving drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking and terrorist financing will be able to advance with greater speed".
Cooperation between both countries has intensified in recent months and includes surveillance flights by US aircraft from a military base located on Ecuador's coast, as well as naval operations that have generated controversy over bombings of Ecuadorian fishing vessels.
In March of this year, the FBI opened a permanent office in Ecuador. The country is part of the so-called Americas Shield, an initiative promoted by United States president Donald Trump with the aim of combating drug trafficking cartels on the continent.
Source: Google News EC — Crime