Samborondón Arsenal Seizure: 3 Arrested

The authorities are analyzing possible links between the detainees and criminal networks dedicated to arms trafficking.

On the afternoon of January 16, 2026, a police operation carried out in the Plaza Lagos sector, in the Samborondón district, ended with the arrest of three people and the seizure of an arsenal of weapons and ammunition. The intervention was carried out by the National Directorate of Investigation of Crimes Against Life, Violent Deaths, Kidnapping and Extortion (Dinased), with the support of units of the General Directorate of Intelligence (DGI).

(Continue reading: Insecurity Samborondón: Entre Ríos will carry out controls due to the expectations of residents)

The operation was carried out around 6:30 p.m. as part of the investigative actions aimed at stopping the increase in intentional homicidesand other related crimes, such as illicit arms trafficking, drug possession and vehicle theft. According to police information, the three detainees have no criminal records.

During the intervention, the agents seized a set of firearms of different calibersas well as a significant amount of ammunition.

Evidence seized in the operation

• 1 shotgun
• 1 rifle
• 1 9 mm caliber pistol
• 1 revolver
• 1 carbine
• 6 5.56 mm caliber feeders
• 540 5.56 mm caliber cartridges
• 415 .223 caliber cartridges
• 350 9 mm caliber cartridges
• 4 9 mm caliber feeders

The three citizens were placed under the orders of the competent authority to face charges for the alleged crime of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. All seized material was transferred under chain of custody to the warehouses of the Judicial Police.

The case remains under investigation while authorities analyze possible links of the detainees with criminal networks dedicated to arms trafficking and other related crimes in the metropolitan area of Guayaquil and its surroundings.

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