Beer-belly drug lord snapped shirtless in cuffs is Ecuador's most wanted criminal
It comes after José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, escaped from his prison cell, prompting a countrywide manhunt and a state of emergency across Ecuador
An infamous drug lord Adolfo Macias has been snapped kneeling on the floor surrounded by cops while shirtless.
Macias, also known as Fito, was recaptured by Ecuadorian security forces yesterday (June 25), after his daring escape from authorities in January 2024 sparked an unprecedented wave of violence. Images of Macias upon re-arrest show him shirtless, while what appears to be a gun is pointed at his hairy beer-belly.
Other images show the leader of the Ecuadorian gang Choneros escorted by soldiers and police officers and military personnel. Macias – Ecuador’s most wanted gang leader – is now set to be extradited to the US on drug trafficking and weapons smuggling charges, according to Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa.
Writing on X, Noboa said: “For those who opposed and doubted the necessity of the Solidarity and Intelligence laws: thanks to those laws, Fito was captured today and is in the hands of the Security Bloc.
“My recognition to our police and military personnel who participated in this operation. More will fall, we will recover the country. Without respite. We have done our part to proceed with Fito's extradition to the United States; we await your response. Have a good afternoon, Ecuador.”
Macias had previously escaped from Guayaquil prison in January, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking.
His successful escape “triggered widespread riots, bombings, kidnappings, the assassination of a prominent prosecutor, and an armed attack on a TV network during a live broadcast”, according to the US Government, which led Noboa to declare a 60-day state of emergency in his country.
President Noboa explained that this tough stance is designed to help law enforcement and military personnel take back control of the chaotic prison system. Following the announcement of Macias' flight, reports indicate a rise in jailhouse unrest.
"These narcoterrorist groups try to intimidate us and believe that we will give in to their demands," stated Noboa at the time. "We are not going to negotiate with terrorists nor will we rest until we return peace to all Ecuadorians."
A government spokesperson said at the time of a 3,000-strong militia group dispatched to find Macias: “We cannot, as you understand, give many details of this operation.
"We are convinced that with the support of the armed forces and the police, and their professionalism, we will finish this search successfully."
Los Choneros holds the dubious title of Ecuador's largest gang, rumoured to be closely linked with Mexico's notorious Sinaloa Cartel.
They're also implicated in several lethal prison uprisings in Ecuador over recent times.