On 7 August a man was apprehended in La Alborada in northern Guayaquil during an operation in which police seized 87 packages of marijuana, some of them flavoured.[1] The National Police carried out the procedure as part of operational strategy 3D after intelligence work by its personnel and the Armed Forces.[1] The suspect was travelling in a vehicle and allegedly distributed drugs to organised-crime groups.[1]
Officers seized 87 packages made up of 68 blocks and 19 bags, and approved tests preliminarily identified the substance as marijuana.[1] Zone 8 deputy commander Colonel Christian Rengifo Dávila said between 16 and 18 packages held flavoured drugs while the rest held unflavoured substance.[1] Police said the packages equalled about 87,000 doses for domestic consumption with an approximate value of $34,000 on the national market.[1] Police said the drugs were possibly from Peru and intended for domestic trafficking and retail sale, and that the detained Ecuadorian man had no criminal record.[1] The vehicle used to move the substance was retained, although it had no robbery complaint.[1]
Flavoured marijuana is a type of cannabis distributed in thermal plastic bags and processed through a technical laboratory procedure.[1] Producers add aromatic or flavouring components to alter its original characteristics, and police said it is sold mainly in nightlife centres.[1] Through DIPA, the police anti-drug information and prevention department, specialised staff give preventive talks in schools and public and private units aimed at young people.[1]
