A Europol-supported, international drug trafficking investigation has dismantled a major Ecuadorian criminal cell responsible for supplying wholesale cocaine to the EU through key ports. The Ecuadorian National Police led the operation, with crucial involvement from German and Spanish law enforcement.
The targeted criminal structure in Ecuador was a key part of an intercontinental network trafficking multi-tonne cocaine shipments from South America to Europe. This cell managed transport, financial transactions via various entities and frontmen, and maintained contact with suppliers.
Criminal cells in Germany and Spain handled European logistics and further distribution within the EU, utilizing commercial and transport companies and drivers. The network imported large cocaine quantities from Ecuador to ports in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Since the investigation began in 2024, authorities have seized 73 tonnes of cocaine across Ecuador and the EU, and arrested 14 individuals in Germany and Spain for their alleged involvement.
Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasized the need for global cooperation: “Criminal networks operate seamlessly across oceans, and our response must be equally interconnected. Strengthening cooperation with Latin American countries is essential – tackling organised crime requires a global effort.
Every country along the supply chain plays a crucial role in dismantling violent criminal networks at every level, from production to distribution. Only through coordinated international action can we disrupt their operations, weaken their influence and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Europol’s role in disrupting the cocaine supply chain has been central. Since mid-2023, Europol facilitated information exchange and provided ongoing analytical support, including through a dedicated taskforce. Europol also coordinated between agencies and deployed experts to Ecuador during the action phase.
This operation aligns with Europol’s strategy to dismantle criminal networks by targeting all levels of the global supply chain, including financial flows and money laundering. It highlights increased cooperation with non-EU countries, crucial in combating serious and organised crime.
The operation follows a week of strengthened partnerships with Latin America, including an EU-Ecuador agreement for enhanced collaboration and information exchange, and a new phase in Europol’s cooperation with Brazil, enabling personal data exchange. Europol also hosted ministerial delegations from the Latin American Committee for Internal Security (CLASI), reinforcing its regional commitment.
The operation builds on EU Member States’ and Europol’s ongoing efforts to counter the most threatening criminal networks within the EU, particularly those operating in major ports. By coordinating EU-wide responses, the aim is to dismantle logistical networks linked to command-and-control centers that undermine EU internal security. Europol has partnered with the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg/Bremerhaven to publish a joint analysis report on the risks and challenges posed by these networks in EU ports.
15 March 2025
