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10h ago

Ecuador Extradites Cartel Leader ‘Fito’ to the United States

President Daniel Noboa used a referendum-approved measure to extradite the cartel leader ahead of his hearing in Brooklyn federal court tomorrow.

Image
This photo provided by Ecuador Prison Authorities on Sunday, July 20, 2025, shows Jose Adolfo Macias, better known as “Fito,” being handed over to US officials in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Security forces stand outside the National Court of Justice following a hearing for the extradition of Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," who on Friday accepted the court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, in Quito, Ecuador, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo

Overview

  • On July 20, SNAI officials removed Adolfo Macias Villamar from La Roca prison under National Police and Armed Forces custody before he boarded a U.S. Department of Justice plane in Guayaquil.
  • Macias is charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with cocaine distribution, conspiracy and firearms violations, including weapons smuggling.
  • His lawyer, Alexei Schacht, says Macias will appear in Brooklyn federal court on Monday to plead not guilty.
  • This transfer marks the first time Ecuador has sent a citizen to face prosecution under last year’s referendum-backed extradition law.
  • As head of Los Choneros, Macias oversaw a transnational cocaine network linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, Colombia’s Gulf Clan and Balkan mafias.