Salazar’s statements came during her appearance before the Oversight Commission of the National Assembly (Parliament) on these investigations addressing an alleged corruption case led by Danilo Carrera, former President Guillermo Lasso’s brother-in-law, in several public companies, a case that was part of the reasons to bring former president to impeachment back in 2023.

Both cases, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, are closely related to the Albanian mafia and its drug trafficking networks in this South American nation.

Salazar was also called to account for an investigation involving former commander General Tannya Varela who allegedly provided security and information to drug trafficking organizations.

An investigation by killed politician and former presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio revealed the involvement of high-ranking police officials, such as Varela, alias La Madrina, with the Albanian mafia and key organized crime figures.

Villavicencio stated that the criminal network operated in Guayaquil, trafficking drugs abroad in complicity with high-ranking officials.

jha/nta