Ecuadorian gangs smuggle mercury to Colombia for illegal mining

An investigation reveals that Ecuadorian criminal gangs are trafficking mercury to Colombia, concealed in containers labeled as medical oxygen pipettes and fire extinguishers. The mercury is destined for illegal gold mining operations, fueling environmental damage and organized crime. The scale and frequency of shipments remain unclear, but the cross-border smuggling highlights a growing nexus between narcotics gangs and environmental crime.