A British girl who vanished from her home has been found by police in South America. Cops in Ecuador discovered the youngster with an American man who was the subject of an Interpol notice.
She was tracked down to Imbabura, an Andean province in northern Ecuador, about 70 miles north-east of the capital Quito. Our Rescue, a non-profit organisation focused on combatting global sex trafficking and child exploitation, was also involved in the operation. They collaborate with local law enforcement by assisting in rescue operations and providing aftercare for survivors.
Police Statement
Ecuador Police said: 'Through investigative work carried out in the province of Imbabura and in co-ordination with Interpol and Our Rescue, we succeeded in locating and protecting a British teenager who was the subject of an international missing persons alert.'
'The investigations confirmed that she had entered the country and was subsequently 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, co-ordinating the teenager’s admission to a specialist shelter in Quito, as well as inter-agency support channels to ensure her safety, integrity and well-being.'
Investigation Ongoing
Police were last night continuing to look into how the youngster, whose age has not been revealed, entered Ecuador. It is not yet clear when she was reported missing.
Although Spanish is spoken in Imbabura, a large part of the population also speak the Imbaburan Kichwa variety of the Quechua language. The stunning province, known as the 'Province of the Lakes', stands out for its impressive lagoons, majestic mountain landscapes and rich indigenous heritage reflected in its traditions and festivities. The capital city is Ibarra, which sits at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano.
