Five severed human heads were found hanging from ropes on a beach in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, amid escalating drug-related violence, police said.

Authorities linked the gruesome display to a conflict between criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and extortion of fishermen.

The incident occurred in Manabi province, where rival gangs are fighting for control of trafficking routes tied to transnational cartels.

Police have increased security operations under a state of emergency after recent massacres in the area left at least 12 people dead, the AP has reported.

Ecuador has faced surging violence for over four years, with 2025 becoming its deadliest year on record, reporting more than 9,000 homicides.