Ecuador’s Most Wanted Drug Lord ‘Fito’ Recaptured in Underground Bunker

Ecuador’s most wanted fugitive, Adolfo Macías Villamar, known by his alias “Fito”, has been recaptured by security forces in a dramatic, 10-hour operation involving police and the military.

Fito, the notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang, was found hiding in an underground bunker beneath a luxury three-storey home in the Monterrey neighborhood of Manta, on Ecuador’s coast.

Secret Bunker Discovery Ends High-Stakes Manhunt

Authorities said the bunker was concealed beneath a stone floor, accessible only through a camouflaged trap door that led down a metal staircase. Inside, Fito had set up a comfortable hideout complete with air conditioning, a bed, a fan, and a fridge.

Above ground, the house featured a private gym and a games room, offering every appearance of normal luxury—while Fito coordinated his operations in secret.

Police say the fugitive offered no resistance during the arrest. He was flown under tight security to Guayaquil, where he is now being held at La Roca, Ecuador’s highest-security prison.

Fugitive Tied to High-Profile Assassination and Prison Riots

Fito’s escape in January 2024 from La Regional Prison, allegedly aided by two guards, triggered violent nationwide prison riots and a state of emergency. His evasion drew international attention, especially as he had already gained infamy while running Los Choneros from behind bars.

He is also suspected of ordering the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August 2023—an act that rocked Ecuador just days before the election.

Drug Empire, Music Video, and Cartel Ties

Even while imprisoned, Fito maintained control over Los Choneros, which expanded its criminal empire to include drug trafficking, extortion, and executions. Under his leadership, the gang aligned itself with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, importing brutal tactics such as decapitations and mutilations.

Shortly before his prison break, he was featured in a narcocorrido-style music video, partially filmed from inside the prison, where his daughter glorified his criminal persona. The video depicted him casually interacting with inmates and handling a fighting cock.

Government Reaction and U.S. Extradition Plan

President Daniel Noboa, who came to power in late 2023 on a tough-on-crime platform, hailed Fito’s capture as a vindication of his security policies. He praised the joint police-military operation, confirming that Fito will be extradited to the United States, where he faces cocaine smuggling charges.

“More [drug lords] will fall. We will regain control of the country,” President Noboa wrote on social media platform X.

Noboa’s strategy has included new laws that declare an “armed internal conflict”, giving police expanded powers to search and arrest without warrants.

Bottom Line:

The recapture of Adolfo “Fito” Macías marks a major victory for Ecuador’s fight against organized crime. As one of the region’s most dangerous gang leaders prepares for extradition, the government signals a renewed commitment to reclaiming national security and dismantling transnational drug networks.