Gruesome warning at holiday hotspot as five severed human heads hanging on beachWARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES The gruesome discovery was made in Puerto López, a small fishing port on Ecuador's Pacific coast plagued by drug-trafficking violenceView 2 Images The heads were found at Puerto Lopez (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Holidaymakers were confronted with a horrific sight this month when five severed heads were displayed on a popular Ecuadorian beach alongside a chilling warning. The grisly discovery was made in Puerto López, a quaint fishing village on the nation's Pacific coastline, renowned for whale watching and picturesque shores. ‌In recent times, the town has become overrun by drug-trafficking gangs due to a surge in cocaine smuggling throughout the country. ‌View 2 Images Police officers stand guard in Quito (Image: Getty Images)Below the severed heads was a threatening note saying: "The town belongs to us. ‌On 28 December 2025, six individuals, including a two year old child, were gunned down at a Puerto López beach when an armed assailant opened fire.

Source: The Star January 29, 2026 10:39 UTC