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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

This handout picture released by the Ecuadorean Army shows drug trafficker Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, after being recaptured in Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025. Ecuadorian security forces recaptured fugitive "Fito," the country's most wanted drug trafficker, whose escape in January 2024 sparked an unprecedented wave of violence, President Daniel Noboa reported on June 25. (Photo by Handout / Ecuadorean Army / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ECUADOREAN ARMY" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/Ecuadorean Army/AFP via Getty Images)
Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, was recaptured by authorities yesterday (Image: Ecuadorean Army/AFP via Getty Im)

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.


This handout picture released by the Ecuadorean Army shows drug trafficker Adolfo Macias (C), alias Fito, being guarded by Ecuador's Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo (L) and Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg after his recapture in Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025. Ecuadorian security forces recaptured fugitive "Fito," the country's most wanted drug trafficker, whose escape in January 2024 sparked an unprecedented wave of violence, President Daniel Noboa reported on June 25. (Photo by Handout / Ecuadorean Army / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ECUADOREAN ARMY" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/Ecuadorean Army/AFP via Getty Images)
Macias had escaped from jail last year (Image: Ecuadorean Army/AFP via Getty Im)

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.”

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an unprecedented wave of violence
Macias' 2024 escape sparked an unprecedented wave of violence(Image: Ecuadorean Army/AFP via Getty Im)

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.

Drug trafficker Adolfo Macias (C), alias Fito, is guarded by Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg (R) and military personnel upon arrival at the air base in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025, after his recapture in Manta, Manabi Province. Ecuadorian security forces recaptured fugitive "Fito," the country's most wanted drug trafficker, whose escape in January 2024 sparked an unprecedented wave of violence, President Daniel Noboa reported on June 25. (Photo by MARCOS PIN / AFP) (Photo by MARCOS PIN/AFP via Getty Images)
He had been serving a 34-year sentence (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"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.

macias
Macias headed Los Choneros, Ecuador's largest gang(Image: MAURICIO TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock)

"We are convinced that with the support of the armed forces and the police, and their professionalism, we will finish this search successfully."

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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.

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