For seven days, between April 13 and 19, 2026, 35 interventions simultaneous in several provinces of the country within investigations for kidnapping and extortion, reported the National Police of Ecuador.
The operations, called Freedomwere deployed in Los Ríos, Esmeraldas, Manabí, Pichincha, Santo Domingo, El Oro, Playas, Sierra Centro, Sierra Norte and the Metropolitan District of Guayaquil, in areas where this type of crime has been identified.
Key results: detained and released
As a result of these actions, the arrest of 93 people. Of that total, 42 would be linked to structures such as Los Lobos, Los Choneros, Los Tiguerones, in addition to other groups identified in the investigative processes.
During the operations, the release of three people who remained in captivity, who received medical attention and were handed over to their families under police accompaniment.
Specific cases of interventions
Within these interventions, specific cases were reported. On April 15, in Cuenca, six people were arrested after an extortion complaint in which they demanded 6,000 dollars through messages sent by a messaging application. During the procedure, seven mobile phones, cash and a motorcycle were located.
That same day, in Machala, a subject during a procedure linked to an extortion investigation, after an attempted assault with a firearm was reported.
Between April 15 and 16, in the Playas canton and the Posorja parish, 25 raids which allowed the arrest of six people and the isolation of five teenagers, in addition to the location of firearms, rifles, ammunition, explosive devices, tactical equipment, mobile terminals, a vehicle, a motorcycle and pamphlets.
The Police reported that, as part of these operations, the delivery of $308,385 that would have been demanded from victims, while investigations continue to determine the reach of these structures in different areas of the country. (YO)
