In brief
Ecuador’s fight against drug trafficking has reached a new intensity as police, joined by BBC reporter Orla Guerin, patrol the streets of a city grappling with an unprecedented surge in drug‑related crime. Sources highlight that drugs are flooding into the country from Colombia and Peru, while local gangs—connected to Mexican cartels and the Albanian mafia—facilitate the smuggling of cocaine to international markets. The resulting violence has pushed Ecuador’s murder rate to one of the world’s highest, with over 9,200 killings reported last year. The report showcases the gritty reality faced by law‑enforcement on the front lines and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to curb drug trafficking and protect citizens.
The police of Ecuador and BBC journalist Orla Guerin have gone into the streets of a city that has seen crime spike after drug supplies poured in from neighboring Colombia and Peru. The surge is thanks to local gangs, many of which have ties to Mexican cartels and the Albanian mafia, who funnel cocaine for a global market.
In 2025, the interior ministry recorded more than 9,200 murders, placing Ecuador among the world's deadliest nations.
The report shows how local police are keeping up with these escalating threats, pushing gangs to the margins of society and confronting smugglers as they move drugs across the region.
With climbing homicide rates, authorities explain that a sustained, coordinated response—encompassing law enforcement, community outreach, and poverty reduction—is essential to curb the drug trade.
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