Operation Apollo in Guayaquil and Durán: 11 detained, 15 firearms and 20 motorcycles seized
Police executed Operation Apollo 24 between Thursday and Friday, with 11 arrests and seizures of firearms, drugs and explosives in Guayaquil and Durán.
Eleven detained and 15 firearms in night-time police operation in Guayaquil and Durán
Eleven people were arrested and an adolescent was isolated during Operation Apollo 24, according to eluniverso.com. The operation took place between the night of Thursday and the early morning of Friday across several sectors of Guayaquil and Durán, focusing on the use of motorcycles to commit violent crimes.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 15 firearms, the detention of 20 motorcycles and the confiscation of drugs, ammunition, explosive devices and video surveillance systems. The latter were reportedly used by criminal groups to monitor the entry of people and vehicles into their operating zones.
The commander of Zone 8, General Walter Villarroel, stated that the planning responded to an analysis of violent incidents recorded in recent days. "We hyperfocused on this problem and practically dedicated ourselves to making arrests of people with firearms and motorcycles," the officer declared.
Five of the eleven detainees have criminal records for drug possession, robbery and concealment of stolen goods. The actions were defined on the basis of citizen reports and information received through a QR code enabled for that purpose.
Among the evidence presented are controlled substances—both in blocks and portioned for commercial purposes—as well as explosive devices and ammunition.
Villarroel indicated that, on a preliminary basis, some of those arrested would have suspected links to structures such as Latin King and Chone Killers, though he clarified that this aspect continues under verification as investigations progress.
The last raid of the operation was carried out in the Nuevos Horizontes sector in Durán. In Samborondón, a van was located whose occupants fled upon noticing the police presence, abandoning several fuel tanks. Authorities suspect that the material was being transported irregularly and stated that the case is being integrated into ongoing investigations.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil