Five officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) who were mobilized to carry out rice price control operations in the mills were attacked in the parish of Pascuales, in Guayaquil, this Wednesday, June 28.

MAG reported in a statement that the event occurred before the start of the operation. “The officials, who were to join a team led by the Governor’s Office and the Mayor’s Office, were traveling in a van belonging to the institution when they were intercepted by five criminals traveling on a tricycle,” the state portfolio stated.

Rice is also grown in Colombia and would change import plans, Brazil and Argentina are among Ecuador’s options

In the attack by the criminals, who used sharp weapons and revolvers, the victims were not injured, but they took their belongings and even the car key, but did not take the vehicle.

By order of Minister Eduardo Izaguirre, the district director “went to the site to check the health of the team members.” Also, the application in question was submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Although the fact may be isolated and unrelated to control operations, MAG “will not stop the task it has undertaken to protect the public from the speculative phenomenon that has increased the selling price of weed to the public,” it said.

In the press release, they point out that the State Department, together with the National Police, the Governor’s Office and the Ministry of the Interior, is coordinating actions “in order to strengthen the escort of personnel who carry out operations and controls in rural areas”.