VIDEO: Haaland's Picture Found on Cocaine Packs Taken in Ecuador

Ecuadorian police have taken 369kg of cocaine from a truck close to the Colombian border. The packages had the image of Norwegian football star Erling Haaland on them.

CNN reported on Thursday that anti-drug officers found the cocaine on Wednesday. They acted on an anonymous tip and stopped a suspicious truck on the Pan-American Highway.

According to a police statement, officers discovered 370 packages of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment of the truck. This led to the arrest of the driver.

Police footage released after the operation showed the packages with stickers of Haaland. He was one of the standout players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals in four matches.

The authorities did not explain why the footballer's image was on the packages. CNN reported that it is common for drug traffickers to use names of famous sports stars and celebrities. This helps to show which criminal group produced the drugs and who their clients are.

The report said Haaland's fame grew during the World Cup. His performances and personality made him a big figure on social media.

Haaland is not the only football star whose image has been linked to drug trafficking. The report mentioned that Argentine captain Lionel Messi's picture has also appeared on another seized package.

The operation took place in the Guagua Negro area near Tulcán. This is about 246km north of Ecuador's capital, Quito.

Police said a woman named María R., who had Colombian ID, was also arrested during the operation.

The cocaine seized is estimated to be worth nearly $11 million in the United States and over $19.6 million in Europe.

Ecuador is known as a key spot for drug trafficking. Criminal gangs from Colombia and Mexico use the country to store and transport drugs, mainly to the United States and Europe.

The report noted that around 80 percent of cocaine going through Ecuador comes from Colombia, while the rest comes from Peru. Police reported they seized 80 tonnes of drugs in the first half of 2026. This is compared to nearly 215 tonnes in 2025 and almost 295 tonnes in 2024, with cocaine being the most seized drug.