Operation Apollo 37 concludes with 23 detained in Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón
The National Police executed Operation Apollo 37 across eleven police districts, with 23 arrested and seizures of weapons, drugs and surveillance equipment.
23 detained across eleven districts during Operation Apollo 37
The National Police detained 23 people on Friday 30 October 2026 as part of Operation Apollo 37, deployed simultaneously across sectors of Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón, according to vistazo.com. The operation targeted organised crime structures active across eleven police districts classified as priority areas.
The operation was carried out under what is known as the 3D Operational Strategy, whose stated objective is to affect the economic bases of criminal organisations. The Police identified among the investigated groups Los Tiguerones, Latin Kings, Los Lobos, Los Lagartos, Las Águilas, Chone Killers, Mafia 18 and Los Fatales.
Districts targeted and seized goods
Actions focused on the Ceibos, Nueva Prosperina, Durán, Florida, Pascuales, Modelo, Sur, Esteros, Portete, 9 de Octubre and Samborondón districts. In those areas, officers combated drug trafficking, vehicle theft and illegal weapons possession.
As a result of the proceedings, the institution reported the seizure of more than a dozen firearms—including a rifle—explosives, 343 doses and 25 blocks of controlled substances, without specifying the type or total weight. Surveillance equipment was also seized, although the Police did not clarify whether it was being used by the organisations to monitor the movements of officers or to control specific sectors.
The Police did not report on the identity of those arrested or detail the charges they could face.
Background: Operation Apollo 36 with 24 detained the previous week
This operation comes one week after Operation Apollo 36, carried out the previous Friday, which resulted in 24 people arrested or isolated. On that occasion, conducted across ten districts, authorities seized seven firearms, 359 rounds of ammunition, three magazines and approximately five kilogrammes of cocaine and marijuana.
State of exception in force in Guayas and other provinces
The operations are taking place while Guayas province remains under a state of exception for serious internal unrest, declared by president Daniel Noboa through Executive Decree 498, signed on 15 September 2026. The measure, initially established for 60 days, also covers the provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Pichincha, Santa Elena and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.
The Government also decreed a curfew between 00:00 and 05:00 from 1 to 10 November in the zones covered by the measure.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil