Routes of Illegal Arms, Explosives Trafficking in Northern Ecuador

Elcomercio.com reported a spark sufficed for the 208 sticks of dynamite being transported illegally in a private vehicle to explode and cause damage in about four blocks around. The material for military use circulated by the Pan American Highway, in Imbabura, heading Carchi. Army intelligence indicates that the cargo apparently was aimed at irregular armed groups operating in Colombia. The explosives were hidden in two backpacks and two jute bags mixed with blasting caps, devices that activate the load. Its destructive power is very high, says Fabian Trujillo, commander of the Cavalry Group 36 Yaguachi. This is the largest shipment of explosives has been discovered in Imbabura, so far this year. Three people driving around the dynamite in the jeep. Since March 23, when the operation occurred, remain in detention. 12 days after the military incursion, a shipment with 1,966 bullets for rifle was discovered in the parish of Lita, in northern Imbabura. There operates a detachment of the armed forces. The soldiers spotted ammunition in a car traveling on the road Ibarra-San Lorenzo. Early reports indicate that the vehicle came from Esmeraldas.

The driver could not justify holding the material 7.62mm caliber, who had hidden in a plastic tank. He remains imprisoned. The Sierra Norte is considered one of the usual corridors through which criminal groups mobilized s weapon, ammunition, explosives, camouflage clothing … to to Colombia. From there, however, enter Ecuadorian territory smuggling drugs and appliances, says Roberto Jaramillo, commander of 39 Infantry Battalion Galo Molina, in Tulcan. Military members of the Operational Command 1 Norte run periodic patrols to prevent passage of prohibited cargo. Jaramillo believes that it is a complicated task, because in the 724 km border shared by Ecuador and Colombia there are vast areas of forest, cliffs, swamps and rivers. Only in Carchi there are 54 informal steps that are linked to rural villages in Nariño. Colombia. For these secondary roads and trails they have also been intercepted trying to cross weapons. Most rifles and pistols have something in common: comes with stamps and series manufacturing deleted, with emery. Apparently attempting to avoid the source of the weapons is discovered, explains Edmundo Mora, head of Arms Control Carchi and Imbabura, the Armed Forces. “In military and police operations we have found different types of weapons.” Among the most curious is a submachine gun of Spanish manufacturing, an Israeli machine gun and Russian rifles, which are not used in the country, “he says. Investigations realize that the path of weapons began its journey in Peru, Ecuador and reaches passes irregular groups of Colombia, known as GIAC. In 2015, the Armed Forces 52 executed intelligence operations to detect GIAC. Military responsible for these tasks indicate that these groups use the Ecuadorian jungle to rest momentarily or train. Throughout the 2015 8 800 patrols they were also developed at national level. The soldiers ruled that there mafias linked to the trafficking of military equipment seized. According to Jaramillo, most people trying to cross the border carrying supplies makes small amounts of ammunition and weapons parts. They do this in exchange for small amounts of money. This mechanism is called ‘ant trade’ and seeks not to arouse suspicion. Once operations, weapons, ammunition, explosives … pass the Judicial Police custody until ending trials are concluded. After that stage, the PJ returned evidence to the Armed Forces for destruction. Last year, the military removed 211 guns, 5320 ammunition and 1,018 accessories seized in the northern border. Since early this year, they increased border operations by the imminent signing of peace between Colombia and the FARC. In context Last March, the government said “will shield the most” northern border, to avoid security risks once Colombia and the FARC peace sign. It is possible that some guerrillas do not benefit the peace process and cross to Ecuador. Read Article

SAFETY, SECURITY, HEALTH IN ECUADOR