Seizure of 602 cocaine blocks in lorry in Guayaquil valued at $18 million
The National Police intercepted a lorry with 17 black suitcases and 602 blocks of cocaine at the Chongón toll booth. A 62-year-old Ecuadorian was detained.
Lorry with false bottom conceals 602 cocaine blocks at Guayaquil toll booth
The National Police stopped a lorry transporting 602 blocks of cocaine hydrochloride on Friday 31 July 2026 at the Chongón toll booth, Ceibos district, whilst the vehicle was travelling in the Playas–Guayaquil direction. This was reported by elcomercio.com.
The officers, deployed in an anti-crime operation in northern Guayaquil, intercepted the vehicle after noticing "nervous and suspicious" behaviour from the driver. During the initial inspection, they detected alterations to the platform and a false bottom, where they found 17 black suitcases containing the drug blocks.
The lorry was taken to the Regional Canine Training Centre for an exhaustive examination, which confirmed the discovery of the hidden compartment.
According to preliminary investigations, the vehicle came from Posorja and was destined for a port in Guayaquil. Lieutenant Colonel Julio César Calvopiñatobar, head of the Ceibos District, indicated that the economic impact on narcocriminal structures amounts to 18 million dollars on the North American market and approximately 28 million dollars on the European market.
Calvopiñatobar believes the cargo was intended for North America as the final destination. The identity of the criminal group responsible has not yet been established; the Public Prosecutor's Office will assume the relevant investigations.
As a result of the operation, a 62-year-old Ecuadorian citizen with a criminal record for theft was detained. The arrested person was placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office to continue with the investigative process.
"Investigative proceedings will continue in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office," stated Colonel Calvopiñatobar.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil