Quito, Ecuador: Drugs Sold in 16 Sites of Historic Center

According to ElComercio.com at least 16 areas in the Historic Center in Quito are being overrun with alkaloid micro trafficking. The Metropolitan Secretary of Security says that the problem is increasing due to the presence of crime and instability in Quito. Furthermore, the Antinarcotics Division of Pichincha has identified 76 selling points of these drugs in the Historic Center. Police say that they have seized 285 kilos of drugs and arrested 309 people involved in the micro trafficking activity. The Ecuadorian Minister of Security says that the state recognizes this drug activity is one of the biggest problems in the city. The Minister adds that the illicit activity not only harms residents’ security but that of tourists visiting the historic center in Quito. Officers say that many of the drug dealers form partnerships with store owners located in the center through bribery or intimidation.Read Article