Ecuador’s most-wanted fugitive has been recaptured – more than a year after he escaped from a maximum-security prison.
Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as “Fito”, led a gang called Los Choneros and was discovered in his hometown of Manta following a 10-hour operation.
Footage from the Ecuadorian army showed a uniformed officer aiming a gun at the drug trafficker’s head after finding him hiding in a small hole beneath a kitchen counter.
“Fito” has an extensive criminal record including charges of murder and organised crime, and he was sentenced to 34 years behind bars in 2011.
A $1m reward was being offered for his capture. Pic: AP
Officials are yet to explain how he escaped – and only realised he was missing when the military arrived to transfer him to another prison and found his cell empty.
A 60-day state of emergency was declared, with hooded gunmen bursting onto the set of a live television studio and declaring they had bombs.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Hooded gunmen storm live TV set
Interpol quickly issued an arrest warrant for Macias, who is due to face international drug and gun charges at a court in New York.
He has been accused of distributing cocaine around the world, and smuggling firearms and ammunition from the US into Ecuador with the help of Mexican cartels.
‘Fito’ in 2023. Pic: Ecuadorian Armed Forces
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa confirmed the country has already requested his extradition to the US – and vowed that more notorious gang members “will fall”.
Read more world news:
Man on death row for almost 50 years executed
Director of next James Bond film announced
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
2024: How Ecuador destroyed 22 tonnes of cocaine
“Fito” had cult status among the public and was known for throwing parties in prison, where he had access to alcohol and roosters for cockfighting matches.
In 2023, he released a video addressed to the Ecuadorian people while behind bars – and was flanked by armed men.
The US classified Los Choneros as one of the world’s most violent gangs last year, while Ecuador has described it as a terrorist organisation.
His capture comes weeks after the government announced that the reward for his capture was going to be increased to $1m (£729,000).