Ecuadorian police and military forces recaptured Jose Adolfo Macias, alias “Fito,” the notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang, after a nearly 18-month manhunt.
The operation took place in Manta, where authorities discovered Macias hiding in an underground bunker beneath a luxury home.
The raid, which involved monitoring a three-storey residence in the Monterrey neighborhood, revealed a sophisticated hideout equipped with air conditioning, a bed, and a fridge, accessed via a sliding trap door disguised as part of the stone floor.
No shots were fired during the 10-hour joint operation, and Macias offered no resistance.
Macias, who escaped from Guayaquil’s La Regional prison in January 2024 while serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking and murder, triggered widespread chaos following his breakout.
His escape, reportedly aided by at least two prison guards, led to riots, bombings, kidnappings, and an armed attack on a TV network, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare a 60-day state of emergency.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Macias and Los Choneros in February 2024 for their role in drug trafficking and fueling violence across Ecuador, a country increasingly targeted by criminal groups due to its proximity to cocaine-producing nations like Peru and Colombia.
Following his capture, Macias was transferred by air to Guayaquil’s La Roca maximum-security prison.
President Noboa announced that Macias will be extradited to the United States, where he faces charges for drug trafficking and firearms smuggling. Noboa praised the security forces, stating on X, “My recognition to our police and military who participated in this operation. More will fall, we will reclaim the country. No truce.”
The capture marks a significant step in Noboa’s campaign against Ecuador’s rising gang violence, fueled by Los Choneros’ alliances with foreign syndicates, including Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, which have brought brutal tactics to the region.