Ecuador's Notorious Drug Lord "Fito" Captured in Elaborate Bunker Operation

Tue Oct 21 2025 04:15:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**Ecuador's Notorious Drug Lord "Fito" Captured in Elaborate Bunker Operation**

Authorities take down Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as "Fito," signaling a major victory against drug trafficking.

In a significant breakthrough in their fight against organized crime, Ecuadorian police have successfully captured drug lord Adolfo Macías Villamar, infamous for his connection to the violent drug gang Los Choneros.

Ecuadorian police have apprehended Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as “Fito,” the country's top drug lord and leader of the notorious criminal organization Los Choneros. This marks a decisive move in a prolonged battle against drug-related violence that has seen Ecuador’s murder rates soar.

The operation, which lasted 10 hours, took place in an underground bunker beneath a luxury house located in the coastal city of Manta. Utilizing a combination of police and military resources, authorities were able to surround the property before discovering a cleverly hidden sliding door that led to an air-conditioned hideout equipped with basic amenities such as a bed, fan, and refrigerator.

During the raid, no shots were fired, and Fito surrendered without resistance. Following his capture, he was flown to Guayaquil and taken to La Roca, one of Ecuador's most secure prisons. This comes after he previously evaded capture in January 2024 by escaping from jail, leading to a national state of emergency due to resulting prison riots.

President Daniel Noboa commended security forces for their successful operation and confirmed that Fito would face extradition to the United States, where he has been charged with cocaine trafficking. Since rising to power after his predecessor's assassination, Noboa's administration has sought to crack down on gang violence, promising voters an end to the ongoing turmoil.

Fito’s history is marked by brutal tactics and criminal alliances, particularly with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. Under his leadership, the Los Choneros gang has become embroiled in drug trafficking and extortion, significantly contributing to the rising death toll across the nation. His notoriety was amplified by a narcocorrido music video featuring his daughter, further glorifying his life of crime while serving a 34-year sentence.

With Fito now back in custody, Noboa expressed confidence that more gang leaders would be apprehended, claiming that his government's heightened measures against organized crime would help restore peace to Ecuador.