Ecuador targets criminal finances to disrupt networks
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Ecuadorian authorities are prioritizing financial investigations to dismantle organized crime, focusing on tracing and seizing assets linked to groups like Los Choneros.
In 2026, Operation Emporio Presidiario uncovered approximately $1.7 billion moved over eight years through companies involved in transportation, food services, and security, all allegedly connected to the criminal organization. A separate case led to charges against 19 individuals and five companies for laundering nearly $398 million through various businesses.
Investigators use reports from Ecuador’s Financial and Economic Analysis Unit, tax records, and international cooperation, including a new FBI office in the country and sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department, to track funds, identify companies, and freeze assets. This strategy goes beyond arrests, aiming to dismantle the financial infrastructure that supports criminal operations.
Experts like Edgardo Glavinich of the Sherman Kent Foundation emphasize the need to broaden these investigations beyond drug trafficking to include crimes like human trafficking and illegal mining. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) also stresses the importance of strong seizure laws and international collaboration to prevent illicit funds from re-entering the formal economy. Ecuador is working with Colombia and Peru on joint border controls and information sharing to track cross-border financial flows.
