Gradle build failed to produce an Android package

[urmilshroff]

Describe the bug
Can't compile a release build for Android. Tested using macOS Catalina and Windows 10, with several versions of the Flutter SDK (including the latest 1.9).

Steps to reproduce

1. Connect a physical Android device
2. Run the app in release mode using flutter run --release

Error message
It's a little bit crypting and vague, but this is all that's displayed: Finished with error: Gradle build failed to produce an Android package.

Smartphone:

• Device: Google Pixel XL
• OS: Android 10 (API 29)