The Ecuadorian National Police ended last week a criminal network, dedicated to the management and sale of disability cards in the coastal province of Guayaquil.
According to data from the agency, the payment for one of those documents, granted by the National Council for Equality of Disabilities (Conadis) with the endorsement of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), was around 1,300 dollars. This cost, specifically, was for cards that showed more than 60 percent disability.
That legal document allowed its carriers to import high-end cars exempt from customs taxes, but according to police information, in the case of the gang dismantled this day, the operations were to import clothing.
However, from the start of the health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they switched to the irregular acquisition of medical supplies.
In the operation to dismantle the network, carried out this morning, agents from the Tax and Customs Crimes Unit of the Judicial Police participated.
The information circulating on social networks indicates that as a result, during 10 raids in the cities of Guayaquil and Samborondón, six people were detained, who could have links to the irregular purchase of material and medical equipment, intended to combat the new strain of coronavirus in hospitals.
Police authorities announced that they will investigate possible links of MSP officials with the illicit deliveries of the cards.
Likewise, an inquiry will be opened on all imported vehicles using these documents, which will be confiscated if the authenticity of the license is not verified.
The disarticulation of the band occurs at a time when there is a complaint against Assemblyman Fabricio Villamar for acquiring a high-end vehicle, without taxes, claiming physical disability.
Likewise, the Prosecutor’s Office investigates, for forgery of a document or customs fraud, Daniel Salcedo, who already has pretrial detention orders for the alleged crimes of embezzlement and procedural fraud, for the importation of a car from the United States through the use of a similar card.
In the midst of the new scandal, many people report on social networks that they have gone through ordeal to acquire a disability card for themselves or family members with really serious problems, which make it difficult for them to lead a normal life.
