The National Police of Ecuador has launched a new specialized unit to investigate and combat kidnappings and extortion across the South American country.
The Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion Investigation Directorate, known as Dinae, was created to strengthen the investigative capacity of law enforcement against these specific crimes. According to the police, the mission of the new directorate is to supervise and evaluate investigative actions using specialized negotiation and investigation techniques.
Ecuador, located on the western coast of South America, has faced significant security challenges in recent years. Criminal organizations have increasingly turned to extortion and kidnappings for ransom, targeting business owners and civilians. The creation of Dinae is a targeted response by the national police, the country's primary law enforcement agency, to tackle this surge in violent crime.
The new directorate aims to improve the planning, supervision, and coordination of operations. It will work alongside other specialized police units, government authorities, private institutions, and international organizations.
First week of operations
Dinae began its operational work on September 2, 2026. Between its launch and September 9, the unit carried out 25 operations nationwide. Police reported that these operations resulted in the rescue of three victims during tactical interventions, while another six victims were freed through negotiation processes and operational pressure.
During this initial period, authorities detained or apprehended 60 individuals and seized 11 firearms alongside other evidence. The police noted that the interventions prevented victims from paying a total of 610,018 dollars in ransom demands to their captors.
One notable operation took place on the night of September 9 in Santo Domingo, a major commercial hub in central Ecuador that connects the Andean highlands to the coastal region. Teams from Dinae units based in the Pichincha province and Santo Domingo conducted a joint operation to rescue a victim of an extortionate kidnapping.
Interior Minister John Reimberg provided details on the case, stating that the victim had traveled from the capital city of Quito to Santo Domingo on September 4 for work purposes. The captors sent intimidating messages to the victim's family, demanding a payment of 25,000 dollars for their release.
The rescue operation was carried out on the highway leading to Quinindé, an agricultural canton in the coastal province of Esmeraldas. Officers successfully freed the victim and apprehended two suspects. During the intervention, police confiscated a firearm, a vehicle, and four mobile phones.
