Ecuador Recaptures Notorious Gang Leader Wanted in the U.S. Over a Year After Prison Escape

In Quito, Ecuador, a notorious drug trafficker, José Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito,” has been recaptured over a year after his dramatic escape from prison. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa confirmed the news of Macías’ capture on Wednesday.

Macías, who led the criminal gang “Los Choneros,” was indicted in New York City for importing large quantities of cocaine into the United States. His arrest took place in Manta, his hometown, where Ecuadorian authorities located him.

Macías had been serving a 34-year prison sentence for drug trafficking at the Guayaquil Regional Prison when he escaped in early 2024. The circumstances of his escape remain unclear; authorities were alerted when a military team went to transfer him to a maximum-security facility only to find him missing.

His recapture occurred at what appeared to be a house basement. In a video released by the Ecuadorian army, officers are seen arresting him as he hid in a small hole beneath a kitchen counter.

The announcement of Macías’ re-arrest coincided with reports of another gang leader, Federico Gómez, alias “Fede,” from Las Aguilas, allegedly escaping from an Ecuadorian prison. Last year, U.S. Attorney John Durham revealed that Macías had been in charge of Los Choneros and its network of criminal operations since at least 2020.

His criminal record includes serious charges such as murder and organized crime. Despite being incarcerated, Macías maintained notoriety within the public, even releasing a video message from prison surrounded by armed men.

The indictment against him includes multiple charges related to international cocaine distribution and weapon trafficking, linking his gang to powerful Mexican cartels that threaten Ecuador and the region. The Ecuadorian government has designated Los Choneros as a terrorist organization and increased the reward for Macías’ capture to $1 million earlier this month.