The prominent leader of an aggressive drug gang from Ecuador, renowned for its reliance on contract killers, corruption, and high-powered weaponry, has been formally charged in New York. The charges allege extensive operation of drug trafficking into the U.S., specifically, mass importation of cocaine. The U.S. authorities announced this development on Wednesday.
The man in question, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, is currently a fugitive, having escaped from an Ecuadorian prison in the previous year. At present, he remains at large, unapprehended by U.S. authorities. Macías Villamar served as the ringleader of Los Choneros, an organization known for its deep ties within the criminal world that primarily consists of assassins, and drug and weapon traffickers.
Macías, better known by his street name ‘Fito’, started leading this criminal network not long ago, in 2020. Authorities described him as both relentless and ruthless, instilling fear while heading an extensive and violent global criminal enterprise. He was heavily involved in trafficking drugs and commandeered a syndicate renowned for its savagery.
Fito has an expansive and severe criminal record. Charges of organized crime and murder are just the highlights. Within the corridors of crime, he’s not only known but revered, obtaining a near mythological status among fellow gang members and even some sections of the general public in Ecuador.
While he was incarcerated in 2023, he managed to release a video. The communication, which was broadcasted widely, was addressed to ‘the Ecuadorian people’ and featured armed militiamen showcasing their power and defiance. This audacious act served to underline Fito’s unyielding grasp on his underworld empire, even from behind bars.
The recent indictment, disclosed in Brooklyn, includes a total of seven charges against both Macías and an as-yet-unnamed suspect. The charges span across international cocaine distribution, conspiracy, and multiple firearms offences, among which includes smuggling firearms into the U.S.
The gang, Los Choneros, had devised a system where their members, or those under their influence, would purchase ammunition, components, and firearms within the U.S. These would then be illicitly transported into Ecuador, evading proper border controls. The indictment further amplifies this claim.
In return, prominent Mexican cartels would ensure that cocaine would be smuggled into the U.S. This collaboration formed very much a symbiotic relationship, reinforcing one another’s illicit trade routes.
The collective influence of these two groups allowed them to maintain control over vital drug trafficking corridors throughout Ecuador. They had little tolerance for those standing in their path. Law enforcement officers, politicians, legal professionals, and even innocent civilians would often fall prey to their violent methods.
Central to Los Choneros’ operations was the trafficking, shipment, and distribution of gargantuan quantities of cocaine. Originating from South America, these shipments passed through Central America and Mexico before reaching their final destination in the United States. Alternatively, they would be routed elsewhere depending on the demands of the global black market.
Macías’ absence from his prison cell in Guayaquil, Ecuador, was first noticed in January 2024. At the time, he was being held for a 34-year term for his involvement in drug trafficking operations. His escape further underscored his craftiness and determination to evade justice.
The U.S authorities, within the last year, have categorized Los Choneros as one of the most belligerent gangs in circulation. Furthermore, they’ve explicitly linked the group with several potent Mexican drug cartels, affirming their shared control over key drug trafficking routes.
Correspondingly, authorities within Ecuador have begun to classify the gang not merely as criminals but as terrorists- an illustration of the severity of their actions and the perceived threat they pose to the state. Their rampage of violence and defiance of law presents a formidable challenge to the national security.
In a bid to incapacitate this organization, the Ecuadorian government announced a significant increase in the bounty for Macías’ capture early this month. The reward has been increased to a staggering $1 million, demonstrating the government’s resolve in pursuing justice against this notorious criminal ringleader.