Drug lords in Ecuador are adopting the infamous Pablo Escobar’s style by establishing private, illegal zoos filled with trafficked and exotic animals as a status symbol. Police recently discovered jaguars and imported birds, such as parrots and parakeets, on the property of a suspected drug lord connected to the Jalisco New Generation cartel. This trend aligns with the surge of an underground drug industry in Ecuador, leading to an increase in wildlife trafficking. Wildlife, often seized during operations, faces challenges in returning to their natural habitat, creating environmental concerns akin to Escobar’s legacy in Colombia.
Ecuador’s Drug Lords Emulate Escobar, Creating Private Zoos as Status Symbols
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