Jacobo Bucaram detained for drug trafficking: five Ecuadorians captured in operation with DEA and Interpol
Interior minister John Reimberg confirmed the detention of Jacobo Bucaram Pulley and four other Ecuadorians for alleged drug trafficking offences in Ecuador and Panama.
Five Ecuadorians detained in international anti-drug trafficking operation
Interior minister John Reimberg revealed on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, new details about the capture of Jacobo Bucaram Pulley, son of former president Abdalá Bucaram, according to metroecuador.com.ec. The detention is part of a regional operation that resulted in a total of five Ecuadorian citizens detained between Ecuador and Panama.
Reimberg specified that the five detainees have Interpol red notices and are sought by United States authorities for alleged offences linked to drug trafficking. The operation was carried out in a coordinated manner between Ecuador and Panama, with participation by Ecuador's National Police and direct coordination with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US government and Interpol.
The minister initially confirmed the capture of Jacobo Bucaram and two other persons in Guayaquil, information which he expanded hours later to include the five Ecuadorians involved. The detainees remain at the disposal of the competent authorities within extradition proceedings to the United States.
Reimberg highlighted that the detentions form part of cooperation between Ecuador, Panama and the United States to dismantle structures linked to drug trafficking. The official stated that the government of President Daniel Noboa will maintain international coordination to combat organised crime.
The international warrants against the five citizens are related exclusively to alleged drug trafficking offences, according to the official update from the Interior Ministry.
Source: Google News EC — Crime