Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa introduced on Wednesday the recapture of José Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito,” the nation’s most needed fugitive and chief of the legal gang ‘Los Choneros’.Macías was apprehended in his hometown of Manta, in what authorities described as a covert basement hideout beneath a kitchen counter. On the time of his escape, Macías was serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking. His disappearance triggered a violent ripple throughout Ecuador, pushing the federal government to declare an inner armed battle and classify Los Choneros alongside 21 different legal teams as terrorist organizations.Interpol issued a global arrest warrant shortly after his escape, which baffled authorities. Officers solely found he was lacking when a navy unit arrived to switch him to a higher-security facility, solely to search out his jail cell empty. The circumstances surrounding his flight stay underneath investigation.Macías’ seize comes simply days after one other jail escape made headlines, this time involving Federico Gómez, alias “Fede,” chief of the rival gang Las Aguilas. The timing has as soon as once more spotlighted Ecuador’s deepening safety disaster.The US authorities has been carefully watching Macías and Los Choneros. In February 2024, the Treasury Division sanctioned each, citing their violent actions and transnational drug trafficking operations. A seven-count indictment unsealed in Brooklyn accuses Macías of smuggling 1000’s of kilos of cocaine into the US, in addition to conspiracy and firearms trafficking.In accordance with the indictment, Los Choneros maintained an enormous distribution community, funneling cocaine from South America by means of Central America and Mexico into the US, with assist from highly effective Mexican cartels. The gang can be accused of utilizing operatives within the US to illegally buy firearms and ammunition and smuggle them into Ecuador.US Legal professional John Durham beforehand described Macías as the top of a “community of assassins and traffickers.” Regardless of being behind bars for a lot of his reign, Macías maintained affect and even notoriety, releasing movies flanked by armed males, throwing jail events, and flaunting entry to contraband luxuries.Now again in custody, Macías could quickly be extradited to the US. President Noboa confirmed Ecuador is awaiting a response from US officers concerning the request.
