Ecuador tightens controls on drones to combat criminal use

Drones used by criminals to introduce objects and explosives into prisons or operate near sensitive infrastructure: Ecuador strengthens controls and introduces fines for those who fly aircraft in prohibited areas around airports or near forest fires.

Organic law on civil aviation, approved by Parliament with 88 votes in favour, provides for three levels of sanctions. The maximum fine, equal to 30 unified basic salaries, or 14,460 dollars, the official currency of Ecuador, concerns very serious infringements and can be accompanied by the suspension of permits or certificates, Infobae reports.

The fines range from 1,446 to 2,892 dollars for minor violations and from 5,302 to 9,640 dollars for serious ones. The legislation also strengthens drone registration and import controls, with the aim of preventing criminal use of these aircraft.