Ecuador’s President Linked to Alleged Drug Trafficking Through Bananas

An alarming investigation has surfaced, linking the family firm of Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, to alleged cocaine smuggling operations. Reports indicate that Balkan drug traffickers claimed exclusive rights to load cocaine into containers alongside bananas shipped by Noboa Trading Co., which is part of a larger business empire producing fruit under the Bonita brand.

The investigation, led by Serbian outlet KRIK and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), uncovered encrypted chat logs from February 2021. In these communications, traffickers discussed their control over cocaine shipments linked to the Noboa family firm, boasting that “no one but them” was authorized to load drugs in these containers.

Noboa Trading has not responded to inquiries regarding these allegations, and President Noboa’s office declined to comment. This situation raises significant questions, especially as the president has positioned himself as a staunch anti-drug advocate, calling for international military support in his fight against “narco-terrorists.”

Details of the Allegations

The investigation revealed that, during a months-long probe, journalists matched specific drug shipments mentioned in the chats to actual banana exports from Noboa Trading. Reports from earlier this year highlighted that police had seized nearly 700 kilograms of cocaine hidden in Noboa Trading containers at the port of Guayaquil between 2020 and 2022.

In a presidential debate earlier this year, opposition candidate Luisa González challenged President Noboa about these allegations. She specifically called for investigations into Noboa Trading, citing reports of drugs being exported in banana packages from the president’s family company to Croatia and Italy. Noboa countered, asserting that the company had cooperated with law enforcement and that he had no personal involvement in its operations.

As part of their investigation, KRIK reporters identified one alleged trafficker from the encrypted chats as Nikola Đorđević. Serbian prosecutors are currently seeking his arrest for unrelated drug trafficking charges.

Implications for Ecuador’s Drug Trade

Ecuador’s Ombudsman has previously stated that as much as 70 percent of the cocaine consumed in Europe now originates from Ecuador. This is a troubling statistic, particularly as the country has become a significant player in the global cocaine trade. The recent allegations against Noboa Trading come at a challenging time for the president, who has built his political narrative around combating drug-related violence and the influence of powerful cartels.

The investigation indicates a disturbing trend of collaboration among criminal organizations, with traffickers specializing in different parts of the supply chain. The encrypted chats revealed detailed information about specific shipments, including dates and container numbers, which reporters corroborated with shipping records. One chat referenced a substantial 430-kilogram cocaine load shipped in a container that had indeed departed Ecuador on the stated date.

Ecuador’s ports, particularly Guayaquil, have become attractive targets for drug traffickers due to the sheer volume of goods shipped. Between 2014 and 2024, Noboa Trading exported approximately $190 million worth of bananas to Croatia, a key market for the firm. This high volume increases the risk of containers being compromised by drug traffickers.

The allegations highlight significant vulnerabilities within Ecuador’s supply chain and port operations. Organized crime expert Anna Sergi noted that systemic weaknesses, including poor oversight of third-party packers, create opportunities for criminal infiltration. While there is no direct evidence implicating Noboa Trading’s management in these activities, the findings suggest that someone involved in the packing and shipping processes may have cooperated with traffickers.

As the investigation continues, the implications for President Noboa’s administration could be profound. The revelations expose not only potential conflicts of interest but also challenge the president’s credibility as he seeks to uphold his anti-drug stance. With the international community’s focus increasingly on drug trafficking routes originating from Ecuador, the fallout from these allegations could reverberate far beyond the country’s borders.