Ecuador police seize 469 kg of cocaine stamped with Erling Haaland's face near Colombian border

Seizure near the Colombian border

Ecuador's National Police intercepted a truck on the Pan-American Highway near Tulcán, a border city in Carchi province approximately 246 km north of Quito, finding 370 green rectangular packages of cocaine hidden in a specially modified double floor of the vehicle. The operation was carried out on Tuesday, 11 August, following an anonymous tip received that morning, according to authorities. Most sources report the haul at 469 kilograms, though one Portuguese-language outlet cited 369 kg, and the Washington Post described it as 1,000 pounds. Each package bore a sticker printed with the face of Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland alongside the World Cup trophy. The seizure took place in the Guagua Negro area near Tulcán.

Arrest and estimated value

The driver, identified as María R., a woman holding both Colombian and Ecuadorian citizenship with no prior criminal record, was arrested on Wednesday, 12 August. She offered no explanation for the Haaland stickers. Police released a video showing the packages being extracted from the hidden compartment, with the Haaland stickers clearly visible. The estimated value of the shipment was approximately $842,000 on the Ecuadorian domestic market, over $11.1 million in the United States, and over $19.6 million (about €17 million) in Europe, according to the police statement. Anti-drug authorities calculated that the seized substance equaled millions of doses.

Why Haaland's face?

Police did not explain why Haaland's image was used, but the practice of labeling drug shipments with the names or faces of famous athletes and celebrities is common among trafficking networks. The markings signal which criminal organization produced the goods and which customer the shipment is destined for. Lionel Messi's image has previously appeared on seized drug packages, and two years ago Frank Lampard's face was found on large quantities of methamphetamine seized in Sydney. The players themselves have no connection to these operations.

Ecuador as a trafficking hub

Ecuador sits between Colombia and Peru, the world's main cocaine producers, and has become a key logistics hub for drug trafficking. Local criminal groups allied with Colombian and Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa cartel, control transit routes. Narcotics are stored in Ecuador and redistributed via Central American routes, primarily to the United States but also to Europe. Approximately 80% of drugs seized in Ecuador originate in Colombia, with the remainder from Peru. In the first half of 2026, Ecuadorian police seized 80 tonnes of drugs, following roughly 215 tonnes in 2025 and nearly 295 tonnes in 2024. The United States and Ecuador launched a joint military operation against drug trafficking earlier this year.

Haaland's global profile

Haaland, who plays as a striker for Manchester City, was one of the top scorers at the World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, scoring seven goals. Norway's national team reached the quarterfinals for the first time. His imposing stature, humor, and goal-scoring appetite generated viral videos and internet memes, making him a recognizable figure far beyond the football pitch. Fans have nicknamed him "pretty princess" and "babygirl," according to one report.