Ecuadorian police have successfully apprehended the nation's most notorious drug lord, Adolfo Macías Villamar, widely known as "Fito." The leader of Los Choneros, a gang largely responsible for the surge in violence and murder rates in the country, was located and captured in a concealed underground bunker beneath a luxury residence in Manta. This apprehension comes just months after Fito was implicated in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
Police conducted a meticulous 10-hour operation, collaborating with military forces, to surround and monitor a three-story home in Manta's Monterrey neighborhood. Following their strategic planning, law enforcement stormed the property where they discovered a hidden trap door, leading to Fito's underground lair, which was equipped with air conditioning, a bed, and basic amenities. Reports indicate that Fito did not resist arrest and was swiftly transported to Guayaquil, where he was placed in one of Ecuador's maximum-security prisons.
President Daniel Noboa commended the law enforcement agencies for the successful capture of the high-profile fugitive, announcing plans to extradite Fito to the United States on cocaine smuggling charges. Fito, who has previously escaped from prison, is associated with escalating violence linked to drug trafficking in Ecuador, including deadly prison uprisings sparked by his initial escape in January 2024.
Under Fito's leadership, Los Choneros has forged strong ties with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, contributing to the violent tactics that have emerged in Ecuadorian organized crime, mirroring those seen in Mexico. His notoriety was further amplified when he appeared in a music video, filmed while incarcerated, celebrating his criminal lifestyle.
Following Fito's extradition, President Noboa remains optimistic about his government's efforts to reclaim control from powerful gangs, emphasizing upcoming initiatives that empower law enforcement with greater authority to combat organized crime effectively.
Police conducted a meticulous 10-hour operation, collaborating with military forces, to surround and monitor a three-story home in Manta's Monterrey neighborhood. Following their strategic planning, law enforcement stormed the property where they discovered a hidden trap door, leading to Fito's underground lair, which was equipped with air conditioning, a bed, and basic amenities. Reports indicate that Fito did not resist arrest and was swiftly transported to Guayaquil, where he was placed in one of Ecuador's maximum-security prisons.
President Daniel Noboa commended the law enforcement agencies for the successful capture of the high-profile fugitive, announcing plans to extradite Fito to the United States on cocaine smuggling charges. Fito, who has previously escaped from prison, is associated with escalating violence linked to drug trafficking in Ecuador, including deadly prison uprisings sparked by his initial escape in January 2024.
Under Fito's leadership, Los Choneros has forged strong ties with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, contributing to the violent tactics that have emerged in Ecuadorian organized crime, mirroring those seen in Mexico. His notoriety was further amplified when he appeared in a music video, filmed while incarcerated, celebrating his criminal lifestyle.
Following Fito's extradition, President Noboa remains optimistic about his government's efforts to reclaim control from powerful gangs, emphasizing upcoming initiatives that empower law enforcement with greater authority to combat organized crime effectively.
