Ecuador’s Most Wanted Drug Lord “Fito” Extradited to the U.S. After Year on the Run

Kokcha News Agency: Jose Adolfo Macias, Ecuador’s most notorious drug trafficker and leader of the Los Choneros gang, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to drug and weapons trafficking. Known by his alias “Fito”, Macias was recaptured in June after nearly a year on the run.

According to CNN International, Fito was transferred from a high-security prison in Guayaquil to the city’s airport on Sunday, where he was handed over to U.S. officials to begin the extradition process. A plane from the U.S. State Department landed at the airport around 12:45 PM local time and departed with Fito at 2:00 PM.

Background on Fito’s Crimes

Fito has been the leader of the Los Choneros gang since at least 2020, accused of smuggling tons of cocaine from Ecuador to other countries. In April, a federal grand jury in Brooklyn, New York, indicted him on seven charges related to drug and weapons trafficking.

Escape, Recapture, and Extradition

Fito had escaped from prison in January 2024 while serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking. His escape triggered a wave of violence in Ecuador, including armed gangs taking over a TV station and holding employees hostage. In response, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of internal armed conflict and labeled 22 illegal groups, including Fito’s gang, as terrorist organizations.

Fito was recaptured in June after nearly a year in hiding. Authorities found him in a bunker beneath a mansion in Manabí. U.S. prosecutors have requested that Fito be held in custody during his trial, citing his threat to the public and risk of escape.

Potential Sentences

If convicted, Fito faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence if he receives the maximum penalty.