Ecuador repatriated 20 people serving sentences in the US

Ecuadornews:

Twenty Ecuadorians who were serving their sentences in the United States for the crime of drug trafficking, returned to the country on Thursday, May 3. It is a repatriation process led by the Ministry of Justice, in coordination with the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense and other entities.

With this arrival, there are already 53 repatriated. The first repatriation took place in November 2017, when 33 people were transferred to the high seas for possession of drugs.

Hence the importance of raising awareness to prevent fishermen from engaging in this illegal practice, according to Felipe Vega De La Cuadra, vice minister of defense.

Rosana Alvarado, Minister of Justice, after welcoming the families of the accused, reiterated that although they made a mistake they have the opportunity to serve their sentence close to their families.

The minister said that a new repatriation is being prepared, but did not specify dates, since long procedures have to be completed, in coordination with the US authorities. She estimated that the third repatriation would be from El Paso (Texas) and could take about six months.

After their admission, the defendants will be admitted to the Latacunga Social Rehabilitation Center, where the control with criminalistics and the registration in the biometric will be fulfilled.

Héctor González Jara, governor of Cotopaxi, also acknowledged that the compatriots made a mistake, but it is a relief for them that their sentence is fulfilled by their relatives.

Jonathan, one of the defendants, thanked for the management. He said that he feels very happy to embrace his brother again. “Being in jail is very hard, much more outside the country,” said the young man. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/judicial/12/ecuatorianos-repatriacion-eeuu-condena-drogas