Ecuadorian police seize 165 kg of cocaine

Source: Xinhua | 06-13-2008 10:58

QUITO, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian Antinarcotics Police have seized 165 kg of cocaine and fake notes worth 65,000 U.S. dollars at the Jose Joaquin de Olmeda airport in the western coast city of Guayaquil, Antinarcotics chief Freddy Martinez said Thursday.

The 165-kg alkaloid was kept in 150 packs and hidden in 28 crates containing sacks with chunks of ivory nut palm wood.

Martinez said that he inspected the merchandise and found the crates had a false bottom.

"The drugs' destiny was Amsterdam, the Netherlands," he said.

A Spanish national was also arrested with 10 kg of liquid cocaine when attempting to travel back to his country.

Besides, fake notes worth 65,000 dollars hidden in a photo album were also seized in a post office. The destiny was the United States and the suspect was identified as Maria Cristina Alvarado Jorge, of Peruvian nationality.

The Antinarcotics Police also confirmed the detention of a Colombian national identified as Jaime Arturo Ubano, who was carrying cocaine in an urban bus from Rumichaca international bridge to the terminal in Tulcan city, at the border with Colombia.

"When discovered by the policemen this guy tried to deceive them" by showing them an Ecuadorian ID with the name of Jose Melinton Santos Vera, according to a police statement.

The detainee has been taken to a police office and the investigation is under way.

Editor:Zhang