Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as “Fito”, has been extradited to the United States to face serious charges of drug and weapon trafficking, as confirmed by his legal representative.
The notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang was handed over by the Ecuadorian government just one month after his recapture following an escape from a high-security prison in 2024.
Macias, who was serving a 34-year sentence at a Guayaquil penitentiary for various crimes, including drug trafficking and murder, arrived in New York state on Sunday night.
His attorney stated that Macias intends to plead not guilty to the federal charges during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on Monday.
The specifics surrounding Macias’s extradition and handover to U.S. authorities have not been publicly disclosed, and the U.S. government has yet to comment on the extradition.
In April, the U.S. Attorney’s Office had filed multiple charges against Macias, including accusations related to cocaine distribution, conspiracy, and violations involving firearms and weapons smuggling.
Macias agreed to his extradition last week in a Quito court, becoming the first Ecuadorian to be extradited under a new law implemented after President Daniel Noboa sought to strengthen the government’s battle against organized crime.
Ecuador, which once enjoyed a reputation as a peaceful nation sandwiched between Colombia and Peru—the world’s top cocaine producers—has recently seen a surge in violence.
This upheaval can be attributed to rival gangs engaging in brutal turf wars, often with the backing of powerful Mexican and Colombian cartels.
After Macias’s dramatic escape from prison in January 2024, President Noboa declared a state of “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador, allowing military forces and tanks to take to the streets in efforts to combat gang-related violence.
This decision has drawn criticism from various human rights organizations concerned about potential abuses of power.
Despite being incarcerated, Macias managed to cultivate a cult-like following among his associates and parts of the public.
In 2023, he even released a video addressing the Ecuadorian people while surrounded by armed men, showcasing his influence and control.
Macias was known for extravagant prison parties and had access to a variety of luxuries, from alcohol to cockfighting animals.
His gang, Los Choneros, maintains connections with criminal organizations including Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and Colombia’s Gulf Clan, both of which are heavily involved in the global cocaine trade.
Following his escape, Ecuador experienced a wave of violence, prompting a massive military operation to recapture him.
The government issued “wanted” posters with a $1 million reward for information leading to Macias’s arrest, highlighting the urgency of his capture.
Eventually, on June 25, Macias was located and apprehended in a bunker hidden beneath the floor tiles of a luxury residence in the coastal port city of Manta, which serves as a hub for Los Choneros.
President Noboa expressed determination for the swift extradition, stating, “We will gladly send him and let him answer to the North American law.”
Recent government statistics reveal that over 70% of the world’s cocaine now passes through Ecuador, with the country seizing a record 294 tonnes of drugs in 2024, primarily cocaine.
image source from：aljazeera
