Ecuadorian police announced that on 12/8, they arrested the driver of a truck near the Colombian border carrying 469 kg of cocaine.

Anti-narcotics forces received an anonymous tip-off the previous morning and set up an ambush for the suspicious vehicle. Following a search, they found 370 packages concealed within a false bottom of the truck.

Police released a video showing the packages emerging from the truck's false bottom, each bearing stickers of the blonde Norwegian striker Erling Haaland—one of the top goal-scorers and most charismatic players at the recent World Cup.

The estimated value of this shipment exceeds 11 million USD in the US and 20 million USD if sold in Europe.

Police explained that gangs commonly label shipments with the names of famous athletes and other celebrities. This tactic signals to accomplices or buyers which criminal network the goods belong to and which customer they are intended for.

Images of the Argentina national team captain, Lionel Messi, also appeared on some other seized packages.

Ecuador is considered a logistics hub for drug trafficking, where drugs are stockpiled, stored, and distributed via Central American routes, primarily to the US and Europe.

In the first half of this year, police in the country reported seizing 80 tons of drugs. In 2025, authorities confiscated nearly 215 tons, and in 2024, nearly 295 tons, primarily cocaine.

Hai Thu (According to AP)