What You Need to Know
• The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 15 individuals and entities in Ecuador for cocaine trafficking.
• The network is linked to Ecuadorian groups Los Choneros and Los Lobos, designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Ten vessels were identified as part of the operation, allegedly transporting thousands of kilograms of cocaine monthly.
On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions against 15 individuals and entities in Ecuador, along with 10 vessels, for their involvement in a maritime cocaine trafficking operation. The Treasury Department stated that this network is connected to the Ecuadorian criminal organizations Los Choneros and Los Lobos, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. The operation reportedly uses legitimate fishing vessels from Manta, Ecuador, to transport thousands of kilograms of cocaine each month to Mexican cartels, which then distribute the drugs in the United States. Among those sanctioned are members of the Mero family, who allegedly coordinated logistical support for cocaine shipments. The sanctions build on previous actions against these groups and are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Why It Matters
The U.S. sanctions are part of a broader strategy to disrupt drug trafficking networks linked to organized crime in Ecuador. Los Choneros and Los Lobos have been implicated in significant drug operations that supply major Mexican cartels, such as the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Pacific Viper, launched in August 2025, has already seized over 225,000 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific. These actions reflect ongoing efforts to combat the increasing influence of drug trafficking organizations in the region and their impact on U.S. drug markets.
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