One of the World’s Most Dangerous Drug Lords Captured

Friday 27 June 2025 - 09:32

By: Zahouani Ilham

One of the World’s Most Dangerous Drug Lords Captured

Adolfo Macias, known by his alias “Fito,” has been apprehended after evading authorities for nearly a year and a half. At 45 years old, he is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous criminals, particularly in Ecuador, where he carried out much of his operations. In addition to being wanted in Ecuador, he was also subject to an extradition request from the United States.

“Fito” is the leader of the Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful gangs, notorious for its involvement in cocaine trafficking. He has also been linked to the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August 2023 a crime that followed death threats issued by “Fito” against the candidate.

In January 2024, he escaped from Guayaquil’s main penitentiary, a facility he had largely controlled. He had been serving a 34-year sentence since 2011 for charges including organized crime, drug trafficking, and murder.

The Ecuadorian government offered a reward of one million dollars over 850,000 euros for information leading to his arrest.

He was finally captured during an armed operation in his hometown of Manta. According to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Macias is now in the custody of a special military task force dedicated to fighting drug trafficking in the country.