QUITO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian authorities detained two active members of the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE), who were caught transporting large amount of drugs, National Anti-narcotics Police Director General Carlos Alulema said on Thursday.
According to Alulema, the two service personnel were apprehended Wednesday night at the fire brigade facilities in Eloy Alfaro International Airport, located in the northwestern city of Manta.
The two entered the facilities in a civilian truck, where 990 packages of drugs weighing 1.14 tons were found by police and state authorities.
"After months of investigation, in coordination with the attorney general, an international drug trafficking organization operating in Manta was identified, led by two active personnel of the FAE," he added.
FAE later confirmed the arrests in a press statement, noting that the two individuals involved were a second sergeant and a first corporal, both are in active service.
FAE stated that this was an "isolated case" and it will be performing a rigorous internal investigation.
"We lament the immoral behaviour of two members of our institution," added FAE.
