US Edition
Ecuador Extradites Notorious Gang Leader 'Fito' to US
ECUADOR, JUL 19 – Adolfo Macias, leader of Los Choneros gang, faces charges in the U.S. after his 2024 prison escape triggered violence and a government crackdown in Ecuador, officials said.
- Over the weekend, the Ecuadorian government transferred José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito, to the United States, after the US sent guarantees to respect his rights.
- He escaped from a Guayaquil prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence, last year and was recaptured late June.
- His gang smuggled U.S.-purchased firearms and ammunition into Ecuador while a U.S. attorney indicted him in April.
- He was removed from La Roca Detention Center, Ecuador's SNAI said, and will appear Monday before Brooklyn federal court, Alexei Schacht told The Associated Press.
- Compared with prior cases highlighting Ecuador's cooperation, he has cultivated a cult status among gang members and the Ecuadorian public.
262 Articles
262 Articles
In 2024, the country seized a record 294 tons of drugs.
NEW YORK.- Ecuadorian drug trafficker José Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito”, leader of the Los Choneros gang, declared himself “not guilty” on Monday on the seven counts charged by U.S. justice at his first appearance in a New York court, after being extradited to the United States.Relaxed and smiling with his lawyers, Macías, 45, pleaded “not guilty” through his defense and with the help of an interpreter after hearing his rights from Judge Vera Sca…
Daily Local News
Ecuadorian drug lord ‘Fito’ pleads not guilty after being extradited to New York
By DAVE COLLINS The head of a violent Ecuadorian gang accused of smuggling cocaine and firearms between South America and the U.S. pleaded not guilty to drug and gun charges Monday in New York. Related Articles Appeals court orders new trial for man convicted in 1979 Etan Patz case Jimmy Buffett’s widow accuses financial adviser of breaching fiduciary duty in $275M trust battle Malcolm-Jamal Warner…
Ecuador extradites alias “Fito” to the United States
Ecuadorean drug trafficking gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias 'Fito' was extradited late Sunday to the United States. The head of the 'Los Choneros' organization was considered one of the country's most notorious criminals, whose escape from jail in 2024 triggered a violence wave that forced President Daniel Noboa to declare an internal 'armed conflict.' Fito was recaptured on June 25.
Together with the Sinaloa cartel "Fito and his gang Los Choneros have delivered tons of cocaine to the USA. Now the drug boss has been delivered. Is he behind bars for life?
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
