The National Police arrested five people during a control operation around the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo hospital of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute in Guayaquil. National Police Commander Pablo Dávila led the intervention, which was triggered by citizen complaints submitted through QR codes about the alleged irregular sale of medical supplies and medicines. The operation in southern Guayaquil was carried out alongside delegates from Arcsa, municipal directorates, the Intendancy, and control agents.
Officers inspected several pharmacies in the sector and closed three establishments for operating permit violations. Dávila noted that one closed pharmacy had operating records but was not permitted to sell medical supplies. Inside one pharmacy, police found a traumatic weapon lacking required permits, along with 83 9-millimeter caliber cartridges. Judicial Police personnel stated that the person responsible for the location lacked permits for the firearm and would be arrested and turned over to authorities.
Pharmacy closures and drug seizures
Municipal control agents also removed autonomous merchants and cleared obstacles that blocked pedestrian and vehicle movement around the hospital. The five individuals arrested during the broader operation included two pharmacy clerks and one foreign citizen. Officers also seized five ampoules of fentanyl and two units of rocuronium during the searches.
Authorities stated that merchants must meet specific parameters to distribute fentanyl under medical prescription with an established delivery and distribution logistics chain, but noted those required documents were missing. Commander Dávila said the results demonstrated the value of citizen reporting, emphasizing that QR codes allow the public to alert authorities to situations requiring intervention.
