The National Government announced on March 20 that it is increasing efforts to combat insecurity and illicit economies by conducting control operations in informal commercial areas. The goal is to prevent the sale of goods with questionable origins and encourage compliance with tax obligations.
Tax auditors from the Internal Revenue Service (Servicio de Rentas Internas, SRI) carried out interventions in popular marketplaces and public roads identified as high tax risk zones. These actions focused on verifying merchandise lacking proper documentation or whose origin could not be justified.
Operations took place in busy commercial sectors such as La Marín in Quito, the bays of Guayaquil, Manta, and Loja, as well as vehicle checks on the Santa Rosa road in Machala for products destined for these markets.
Authorities reported a provisional seizure of merchandise valued at approximately USD 130,997. Items included used mobile phones, clothing, and footwear that lacked documents proving their acquisition, possession, or transport according to current regulations.
Officials said these measures are part of President Daniel Noboa’s strategy to address insecurity in all its forms. The government aims to curb the trade of allegedly stolen goods or those entering the market outside legal channels. Additionally, these actions seek to protect formal merchants who comply with their obligations and strengthen transparency in commercial transactions.
