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Former intelligence chief: Here's what Albanian mafias in Ecuador are capable of doing

Politiko 2025-05-22 16:20:37

Former intelligence chief: Here's what Albanian mafias in Ecuador are

Mario Pazmiño, the former head of Ecuador's military intelligence service, spoke to Euronews Albania about what he calls the Albanian mafia or criminal groups in Ecuador.

Pazmiño states that due to the way they operate, Albanian mafias do not have a capacity in Ecuador, but only some connections.

Pazmiño tells when the Albanian mafia arrived in Ecuadorian territory, explaining that their criminal activities are considered clandestine.

"The Albanian mafia in Ecuador began to arrive in 2010 and establish itself in our national territory with small infrastructure, such as shops and businesses. They began to be seen by the national authorities, they began to enter a stage of clandestine activity and their type of action at that moment was limited, so it is not as large as is supposed, such as the Sinaloa Cartel or the Colombian Gulf Cartel.

These are much more overtly mafia-like in the way they operate, combining territorial actions with urban terrorism. Meanwhile, the Albanian mafia has not been clearly identified and has not entered into “war”.

"I think there is a state of clandestineness in the actions they carry out. They are important because it is the connection that is made with Europe on the drug issue but there is a clandestine activity. After the capture of some of the heads of the Albanian mafia in Ecuadorian territory, their activity has weakened," concluded Mario Pazmiño./ Euronews

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