Ecuadorian drug lord ‘Fito’ extradited to Brooklyn to face drug trafficking charges.
A South American drug lord, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as “Fito,” has been extradited to Brooklyn, New York, to face serious charges related to international drug trafficking and firearms. Macías, 45, is the alleged leader of Los Choneros, a notorious transnational criminal organization based in Ecuador, which has established extensive ties to Mexican drug cartels, including the infamous Sinaloa cartel.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn assert that Los Choneros has played a significant role in transporting cocaine from Colombian suppliers through Ecuador to the United States. The organization’s operations are characterized by the use of heavily armed assassins, known as “sicarios,” and a web of bribery and corruption that has allowed them to maintain control over their illicit trade.
Macías has a notorious history, marked by two successful prison escapes and extravagant displays of wealth while evading the law. His initial 34-year prison sentence in Ecuador for drug trafficking was interrupted in 2013 when he and a group of accomplices incapacitated prison guards, allowing for his escape. Although recaptured four months later, he reportedly continued to exercise power over the La Regional prison through bribery, orchestrating violent executions within the facility to maintain dominance. Prosecutors highlight moments from prison life where Macías hosted extravagant parties, complete with mariachi music, and even filmed a music video with his daughter that satirized the Ecuadorian government.
In January 2024, Macías managed to escape again right before being transferred to a maximum-security prison, triggering significant chaos across the region, including riots and a state of emergency across Ecuador. His eventual capture occurred 18 months later, when Ecuadorian Special Forces located him in a luxurious villa complex in the city of Manta, where he had been living under comfortable conditions, complete with modern amenities.
Following his extradition, a federal grand jury in Brooklyn charged him on July 27. In his first court appearance, he was ordered held without bail. Macías’ attorney has requested continued medical care for him due to bullet fragments lodged in his body from a past shooting incident.
The prosecution describes Macías as a key player in the violent and expansive drug trade, highlighting the extreme measures employed by him and his organization to achieve dominance in the drug market. The next court hearing for Macías is scheduled for September 19, where further proceedings will unfold in this high-profile case involving cross-border criminal activity.
As law enforcement agencies intensify their crackdown on drug trafficking networks, the case against Macías and Los Choneros underscores the ongoing struggles authorities face in combating organized crime on an international scale.
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