Agents of the Judicial Police collaborated in the detection of false results of COVID-19 tests. Photo: Courtesy.
January 20, 2021 – 18h27
The Judicial Police carried out a control at the José Joaquín de Olmedo airport in Guayaquil this week and detected the presentation of falsified PCR evidence on a flight that was preparing to leave for the Galapagos Islands.
Three American citizens were apprehended for the alleged crime of falsification and use of false documents; however, an investigation has been opened, but the Prosecutor’s Office have linked them to the case.
During the control, a delegate from the Autonomous Government of Galapagos and the agents detected the visible adulterations in the logo of the laboratory that supposedly had granted the certificates to foreigners.
The agents contacted the laboratory representative, verifying that the company has not delivered these certificates and that they do not present the characteristics of the documents that they issue to their clients.
The foreigners Peter N., Nicholas O., and Peter K., were transferred to the Model Barracks, where the American consulate was notified, but they were later released.
This would not be the first case, which is precisely why controls are carried out to travel to the Galapagos Islands. The agents and officials of the Ministry of Health have already detected several anomalies that would be endangering the health of the inhabitants of the Enchanted Islands.
The Police revealed that even two doctors from the Ministry of Health have been prosecuted for fraudulently issuing documents. In addition, it was known that several laboratories that are authorized by ACESS (Agency for the Quality Assurance of Health Services and Prepaid Medicine) are being investigated for carrying out rapid tests and then issuing PCR test certificates that allow their carriers to travel .
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