Narco-trafficking is increasing in Ecuador, U.S. Department of State says

The anti-narcotics department in Ecuador has released statistics that show an increase in drug trafficking in the country. U.S. officials from the Department of State agree, Noticias Montreal reports. They claim many exterior criminal organizations are operating in Ecuador, such as Los Zetas and the Sinaloa cartels from Mexico, Russian and Chinese groups, and Colombian organizations like FARC, among others. Wladimir Leon, chief of the counter-narcotics police in Guayas, the province seeing the most drug activity, says the surge in activity resembles an industry. In 2011, 26.09 tons of drugs were seized throughout Ecuador, and so far in 2012, 17.38 tons have been seized. These seizures are thought to represent 21.66% of the drugs circulating throughout the country. Multiple drug laboratories have also been found and destroyed. Ecuador has been characterized as a transit country due to porous borders, lack of control, corruption and a weak government. Read Article