Ecuador Police Seize Cocaine Shipment Featuring Erling Haaland’s Image

Norway’s soccer star, Erling Haaland, has become a prominent figure in recent months. His face is widely recognized due to his spectacular performance in the World Cup where he scored seven goals in four matches. However, his image has surfaced in an unexpected context. Police in Ecuador discovered it on packages of cocaine during a seizure near the Colombian border.

The police arrested the truck driver after finding 469 kilograms (1,034 pounds) of cocaine. This operation followed an anonymous tip received on Tuesday morning. Anti-narcotics agents spotted a suspicious truck on the Pan-American Highway, and upon searching, uncovered 370 packages hidden in a false truck bottom. A video from the Ecuador National Police displayed the packages along with Haaland’s image, which frequently appears on social media.

This occurrence is not isolated. The use of celebrity images, like those of Argentinian star Lionel Messi, on drug packages is a common tactic. Traffickers use these labels to indicate the product’s origin and ownership.

Ecuador serves as a key point for drug trafficking, with shipments routed mainly to the United States and also to Europe. Local gangs work with Colombian and Mexican cartels to manage these operations. In 2025, authorities seized nearly 215 tons of drugs, mostly cocaine, and the amounts continue to rise.

The value of the recent shipment stands at approximately $842,000 locally. In the U.S., it rises to over $11 million, while in Europe, it is worth more than €17 million.

Cocaine packages often feature distinctive designs. In the Florida Keys in previous years, tourists and beachgoers found packages wrapped with images like Yosemite Sam, dune buggies, and even bald eagles. One notable find included packages with a fake ‘Nike SB’ swoosh logo underwater near Key West.