Quito, January 3 (teleSUR-RHC)-- The Ecuadorean government reported an increase in drug seizures during 2014 saying that this year has been so far its most successful in the war against drug trafficking.

The Ministry of the Interior released a statement informing that almost 60 tons this year were seized compared to only 57 tons in 2013, 43 in 2012 and 26 in 2011.

The ministry also stated that 7,772 were arrested in connection with drug trafficking crimes, while in 2013, 6,404 were detained.

According to the report, of the total drugs captured, 51.5 tons were cocaine, while eight tons were marijuana and 207, heroin.

And in the last five years, security forces seized a total of 300 tons of illegal narcotics, which is significantly higher than the 81 tons captured in a 10-year-period by the U.S. Advanced Control Post.

That U.S. narcotics force was based in Manta, a coastal city south of Quito, and it was supposedly dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking, although the Ecuadorean government said that in reality it was a military base focused on combating the leftist guerrilla forces of Colombia.