Ecuador judges, politicians arrested in narco 'purge'
March 4, 2024
QUITO, Ecuador (AFP)— Twelve people, including judges and politicians, were arrested in Ecuador Monday as part of a so-called “Purge” probe into officials suspected of ties to drug trafficking, the attorney general’s office said.
Attorney General Diana Salazar has in recent months launched a drive to clean up corrupt institutions as the once-peaceful country battles powerful narco gangs that have infiltrated the state.
Her office wrote on X that police had raided the homes and offices of magistrates, an ex-lawmaker, and the former president of a local court in the southwestern province of Guayas.
The operation came as a result of findings in Salazar’s “Metastasis” investigation which was unveiled in December and led to unprecedented raids and arrests against powerful officials.
Dozens of judges, politicians, prosecutors, police officers and a former prison director stand accused of handing out favors to gangsters in exchange for money, gold, prostitutes, apartments and other luxuries.
More:
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/03/04/ecuador-judges-politicians-arrested-narco-purge/