Theft of 150 guns at Guayaquil's Modelo barracks leaves three police officers under investigation
150 disabled weapons were stolen from the Modelo barracks in Guayaquil; three police officers face judicial and administrative proceedings.
Systematic theft of weapons at Guayaquil's Modelo barracks
According to vistazo.com, the National Police detected on Sunday 15 May 2022, in the afternoon, the alleged theft of firearms stored in the ammunition store of a police unit in Guayaquil. The incident occurred at the Modelo barracks, amid a state of emergency declared by the National Government in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabí and Guayas.
Specialist units were deployed to investigate the case and identify those responsible, according to a statement from the institution.
Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo stated that the stolen weapons were in the process of destruction and disabled for police use. "The alert is generated by this mechanism, which suggests an absence of controls and systematic theft over a period of time without adequate supervision," Carrillo said.
The minister clarified that, after the theft of 150 weapons in zone 8 was confirmed, three police officers were brought before the justice system. On the administrative level, he noted, the complete chain of responsibilities would be determined.
"Corruption is a phenomenon that undermines institutions. Transparency generates trust. The Government of President Guillermo Lasso will not rest in the drive to bring transparency and achieve that citizen trust," Carrillo affirmed.
The National Police reaffirmed in its statement "the commitment to combat crime in all its forms and origins" and announced that it would provide all necessary information to the authorities to clarify the details of the case.
Within the framework of the state of emergency, joint police and military operations accumulated significant results between 30 April and 13 May. The so-called "Rescue Plan" included 50,935 operations, which resulted in the detention of 1,131 persons and the dismantling of 17 criminal gangs. Additionally, 160 vehicles and motorcycles were recovered, and 143 firearms were seized.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil