U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Ecuadorian Drug Trafficking Network

Washington — On Thursday, the United States imposed new sanctions targeting 15 individuals and entities in Ecuador as well as 10 maritime vessels. These sanctions are in response to their alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking network.

The Treasury Department stated that this network is linked to the Ecuadorian groups Los Choneros and Los Lobos. Both groups are recognized by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations. According to reports, the network utilized a fleet of fishing vessels from Manta, Ecuador, to transport thousands of kilograms of cocaine each month.

These operations reportedly supply cocaine to Mexican cartels, which then distribute it in the U.S. The vessels involved were said to have refueled and resupplied smaller, fast-moving boats. These boats transported the drugs north through the eastern Pacific Ocean towards Mexico. Once there, cartels such as the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) took over the distribution to the U.S.

“Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to disrupt the cartels’ drug trafficking operations and protect our borders,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Among those sanctioned are members of the Mero family, who, according to the Treasury, managed the fishing company Arcasdenoe S.A. They are accused of coordinating supplies and support for cocaine shipments. Additional Ecuadorian nationals, believed to coordinate substantial quantities of cocaine per month, were also named. These individuals reportedly control a number of front companies involved in these operations.

The 10 vessels identified are said to provide logistical support and avoidance of detection, and in some cases, direct cocaine transport. These sanctions follow previous actions against Los Choneros, Los Lobos, and CJNG. The State Department had classified Los Choneros and Los Lobos as terrorist organizations in September 2025.

A visual from January 2024 shows police and soldiers presenting 22 tons of drugs seized during an operation in Quevedo, Ecuador. This highlights the continued efforts to combat drug trafficking. The recent sanctions are linked to Operation Pacific Viper, a campaign led by the U.S. Coast Guard in August 2025. By June 2026, the operation had seized over 225,000 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific.

With these new sanctions, U.S.-based assets of the designated entities and individuals are frozen. U.S. citizens generally cannot do business with them. The Treasury Department pointed out that violations may result in civil or criminal penalties. Moreover, foreign financial institutions aiding transactions for these sanctioned individuals may face further sanctions.

The Treasury emphasized collaboration among several U.S. agencies, including the Homeland Security Task Force, the DEA, U.S. Southern Command, Naval Intelligence, and the Coast Guard. Since early 2025, nearly 30 similar actions have targeted cartel networks. The State Department noted these trafficking operations generate billions of dollars annually for cartels responsible for many deadly drugs in U.S. communities.

“The United States will continue to use all our tools to dismantle the cartels profiting at the expense of American lives,” a State Department statement indicated.

Earlier in the year, U.S. commandos participated in a mission with Ecuadorian troops to dismantle a suspected hub linked to Los Choneros. In 2024, the U.S. recognized Los Lobos as the largest drug trafficking organization in Ecuador, noting the gang’s significant contribution to the violence within the country.