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United States Imposes Sanctions on Ecuadorian Maritime Cocaine Smuggling Network
Just the facts
The Treasury Department designated 15 individuals and corporate entities along with 10 commercial vessels operating out of Manta, Ecuador, for facilitating large-scale maritime drug distribution. Federal officials stated the network operated through front company Arcasdenoe S.A. and collaborated with designated criminal organizations Los Choneros and Los Lobos to resupply go-fast vessels transporting cocaine toward Mexican cartels. The sanctions freeze all United States-based assets belonging to the designated parties and prohibit American individuals and businesses from conducting financial transactions with them.
Why this is news
The United States Department of the Treasury announced economic sanctions targeting an Ecuador-based maritime narcotics network accused of smuggling cocaine to North American markets.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.