Adolfo "Fito" Macías, the leader of Los Choneros gang and a primary suspect in the assassination of a presidential candidate, was apprehended in an underground bunker beneath a luxury home in Manta, revealing the extent of his criminal operations. His capture signals increased efforts by the Ecuadorean government to regain control amidst escalating drug-related violence.
Ecuador's Infamous Drug Lord Apprehended in Elaborate Underground Hideout
Ecuador's Infamous Drug Lord Apprehended in Elaborate Underground Hideout
The notorious Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as “Fito,” was captured by police and military in a calculated operation at his hidden bunker, marking a significant victory against organized crime in Ecuador.
Police in Ecuador have successfully apprehended Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as "Fito," the country's most wanted drug lord and head of the Los Choneros gang. This notorious criminal organization has been a major contributor to Ecuador's alarming increase in murder rates, transforming the nation from a once-peaceful tourist spot to a hotspot of violence and crime. Fito is also implicated in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was killed in 2023.
Authorities tracked Fito down to an underground bunker situated beneath a luxury residence in Manta. His capture came after an exhaustive ten-hour operation conducted by law enforcement and military personnel, which concluded without any shots being fired. Officers monitored the three-story home in the Monterrey neighborhood before storming the building, discovering a concealed trapdoor that led to Fito's elaborate underground hideout, equipped with air conditioning, a bed, and even a refrigerator.
Upon his apprehension, Fito showed no resistance and was airlifted to Guayaquil, where multiple high-security prisons are located. Images from his arrival depict him dressed casually in shorts and flip-flops, escorted by armed guards towards a waiting SUV en route to the La Roca maximum-security facility.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has commended the police and military for their successful operation, stating that Fito will be extradited to the United States on cocaine smuggling charges. Highlighting Fito's past escapes, including a notable incident in January 2024 that was facilitated by corrupt guards, Noboa assured the public that heightened security measures would be enforced following his arrest.
Fito's reign as head of Los Choneros saw the gang forge alliances with Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, introducing violent tactics that reflect the brutal methods employed by Mexican drug traffickers. Even while incarcerated, Fito orchestrated gang activities from behind bars and gained notoriety, with one music video showcasing his lifestyle filmed within the prison.
Noboa's ascent to the presidency in late 2023 was predicated on a commitment to combat gang violence. Following Fito's recapture, he proclaimed the operation as evidence of his government's effective strategy, which encompasses newly enacted laws granting police expansive powers to declare armed conflicts and conduct warrantless searches. The president's post on X reported optimism for further disruptions of organized crime, asserting, "More [drug lords] will fall; we will regain [control of] the country."
