Security in Ecuador has come undone as drug cartels exploit the banana industry to ship cocaine

Security in Ecuador has come undone as drug cartels exploit the banana industry to ship cocaine

Ecuador's location is increasingly putting it at the confluence of two global trades: bananas and cocaine.

Ecuador’s security unravels as drug cartels exploit the banana industry

Men walk through a lush plantation between Ecuador’s balmy Pacific coast and its majestic Andes, lopping hundreds of bunches of green bananas from groaning

Drug cartels exploit the banana industry to ship cocaine

Ecuador is increasingly at the confluence of two global trades: bananas and cocaine.

Security in Ecuador has come undone as drug cartels exploit the banana industry to ship cocaine

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) — Men walk through a lush plantation between Ecuador ’s balmy Pacific coast and itsmajestic Andes, lopping hundreds of bunches of green bananas from groaning plants twice their height. Workers haul the bunches to an assembly line, where the bananas are washed, weighed and plastered with stickers for European buyers. Owner Franklin Torres is monitoring all activity on a recent morning to make sure the fruit meets internati…

Security in Ecuador has come undone as drug cartels exploit the banana industry to ship cocaine

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) — Men walk through a lush plantation between Ecuador ’s balmy Pacific coast and its majestic Andes, lopping hundreds of bunches of green bananas from groaning plants twice their height. Workers haul the bunches to an assembly line, where the bananas are washed, weighed and plastered with stickers for European buyers. Owner Franklin Torres is monitoring all activity on a recent morning to make sure the fruit meets interna…

Ecuador drug cartels exploiting banana industry to ship cocaine

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Men walk through a lush plantation between Ecuador’s balmy Pacific coast and its majestic Andes, lopping hundreds of bunches of green bananas from groaning plants twice their height.