Ecuador.- The Ecuadorian Police today arrested a member of a criminal gang allegedly involved in the armed attack on Tuesday in an artisanal fishing port in the province of Esmeraldas (northwest) that left nine dead and four injured.
As published by the Presidency on his Twitter account, the Ecuadorian President, Guillermo Lasso, reported that the Police arrested alias “Coco”, a member of “Los Tiguerones”, a dangerous criminal gang linked to drug trafficking that disputes the power of prisons from the country.
“It is presumed that (“Coco”) was involved in the attack yesterday (Tuesday) in Esmeraldas. He has given us information about the others. The search continues,” added the Presidency.
On Tuesday, a group of 30 hooded men armed with pistols and rifles opened fire indiscriminately against workers and merchants who were in a seafood warehouse in the port of Esmeraldas, on the border with Colombia.
The attackers arrived in the area aboard several boats and after committing the massacre they fled in an unknown direction.
The Police and the Armed Forces deployed operations throughout the province to find those responsible.
During the day, Lasso traveled to Esmeraldas, where he met with relatives of the victims of the massacre, as well as with military, police and government authorities to learn about the progress of the search operations for those responsible for the shooting.
Interior Minister Juan Zapata, who is leading the operations, told reporters that the massacre was carried out by an organized crime group.
“We are absolutely clear who are responsible, both materially and intellectually, for this terrorist act. We have generated more than 75 raids,” said Zapata, after indicating that a boat was located that was used by the attackers.
He added that the Police and the Armed Forces will not rest until they capture those responsible.
According to the Minister, the shooting responds to a confrontation between two organized crime groups that seek to strengthen themselves in Esmeraldas, one of the most violent provinces in Ecuador.
The search for those involved in the shooting includes sweeps in the neighborhoods where the criminal gang operates, as well as a greater presence of police investigators and tactical teams in Esmeraldas to guarantee citizen safety.
“The President has given us the order to make a massive and extensive tour of Esmeraldas,” Zapata remarked.
The attack occurred in the midst of a state of emergency with a night curfew that has been in force in the province since last March, due to the wave of murders and crimes.
