A Cuban citizen is under administrative investigation in Ecuador after being caught with 1,230 undeclared colostomy bags at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, the National Customs Service of Ecuador (SENAE) reported on Tuesday.
The discovery occurred during routine checks in the international arrivals area, where customs agents detected medical bags hidden in the traveler's luggage, coming from Cuba.
"Our international arrival hall staff at the Guayaquil airport identified and detained 1,230 colostomy bags coming from Cuba, which were not declared and were being transported as part of the luggage of a Cuban citizen," the SENAE stated in a press release.
Ecuadorian authorities have opened an administrative process to determine whether there was any violation of the current customs regulations.
Colostomy bags are medical devices used by patients who have undergone colon surgeries and require an external system to collect bodily waste. In Ecuador, each unit can cost between four and seven dollars, which places the estimated value of the shipment between 4,920 and 8,610 dollars.
Beyond the potential customs violation, the case draws attention due to the nature of the seized goods. Unlike other confiscations related to commercial products or luxury items, this involves a medical supply that has been reported as scarce in Cuba for years by patients and their families.
The shortage of colostomy bags on the island has often forced operated individuals—including children, the elderly, and oncology patients—to improvise solutions using plastic bags, bottles, and other containers due to the inability to access the proper devices.
The magnitude of that crisis even led the Cuban authorities to maintain tariff exemptions for the importation of these products in accompanied luggage for years, with the aim of facilitating their entry into the country.
The existence of an informal market for medical supplies has also become evident in recent operations. In February 2025, Cuban authorities announced the seizure of a clandestine warehouse in Havana where medications, gloves, catheters, sutures, IV fluids, and colostomy bags were allegedly intended for illegal sale.
The Guayaquil incident occurs amidst a series of control actions carried out by SENAE during 2026. Among the most recent seizures are 60 firearm magazines, iPhones valued at approximately $35,000, and nearly 350,000 smuggled cigarettes.
Ecuadorian legislation requires travelers to declare any goods subject to taxes and to undergo the appropriate inspection before entering the country.
After the procedure, SENAE reiterated its call for passengers to comply with customs regulations.
"The institution stated, 'We remind users to review the regulations regarding personal effects of travelers and to comply with the established provisions to avoid any issues during their entry processes into the country.'"
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