A British girl who disappeared from her home has been located by police in South America. Authorities in Ecuador discovered the teenager with an American man who was the subject of an Interpol notice. She was tracked down in Imbabura, an Andean province in northern Ecuador, approximately 70 miles north-east of the capital Quito.
Rescue Operation
Our Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating global sex trafficking and child exploitation, participated in the operation. They collaborate with local law enforcement by assisting in rescue missions and providing aftercare for survivors.
Ecuador Police stated: “Through investigative work carried out in the province of Imbabura and in coordination with Interpol and Our Rescue, we succeeded in locating and protecting a British teenager who was the subject of an international missing persons alert.”
Investigation Details
The investigations confirmed that she had entered the country and was found in the company of a man with dual Ecuadorian and US nationality, who was the subject of an international Interpol notice. In light of a suspected situation of vulnerability linked to the crime of human trafficking, protection protocols were immediately activated. This included coordinating the teenager’s admission to a specialist shelter in Quito and inter-agency support channels to ensure her safety, integrity, and well-being.
Police were continuing to investigate how the youngster, whose age has not been disclosed, entered Ecuador. It is not yet clear when she was reported missing.
About Imbabura Province
Although Spanish is spoken in Imbabura, a large part of the population also speaks the Imbaburan Kichwa variety of the Quechua language. The province, known as the “Province of the Lakes,” is renowned for its impressive lagoons, majestic mountain landscapes, and rich indigenous heritage reflected in its traditions and festivities. The capital city is Ibarra, situated at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano.
