Haaland's Image Found on Cocaine Packages in Ecuador

On Wednesday, Ecuadorian police seized 369kg of cocaine from a truck near the Colombian border, with the packages bearing the image of Norwegian football star Erling Haaland. The seizure occurred after anti-narcotics officers acted on an anonymous tip and stopped a suspicious truck on the Pan-American Highway.

Officers discovered 370 packages of cocaine hidden in a false compartment, resulting in the arrest of the driver. Police footage showed the packages with stickers of Haaland, who gained prominence during the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring seven goals in four matches.

The authorities did not clarify why Haaland's image was used, but it is noted that drug traffickers often label shipments with names of celebrities to indicate the criminal network responsible. The operation took place in the Guagua Negro area near Tulcán, approximately 246km north of Quito.

A woman identified as María R., carrying Colombian identity documents, was also arrested. The cocaine's estimated value is nearly $11 million in the U.S. and over $19.6 million in Europe.