אחיו של מנהיג הסמים האקוודורי "פיטו" נעצר בקולומביה, לפי authorities

Wednesday 17 June 2026 - 08:31

Authorities in Colombia have arrested the brother of a well-known Ecuadorian drug trafficking leader in a joint operation involving security forces from both countries, according to statements from Ecuador’s Interior Ministry.

The arrested individual, identified as Javier Macías and known by the alias “Javi,” is the brother of Adolfo Macías, widely known as “Fito,” the leader of the powerful criminal organization Los Choneros. The gang is considered one of the most influential drug trafficking networks in Ecuador and has long been linked to international narcotics and arms smuggling operations.

Officials said Javier Macías had been living in Colombia under a false identity and was wanted by Ecuadorian authorities for alleged involvement in money laundering and organized crime activities. He was reportedly the subject of an Interpol red notice prior to his arrest.

The operation highlights ongoing cross-border cooperation between Ecuador and Colombia as both countries intensify efforts to combat organized crime and dismantle powerful drug trafficking networks operating across the Andean region.

Adolfo “Fito” Macías, the leader of Los Choneros, has been at the center of major legal and security developments in recent years. He was previously recaptured after a prison escape and later extradited to the United States, where he faces multiple charges, including drug trafficking and weapons-related offenses. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence or life imprisonment.

Los Choneros has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States due to its involvement in large-scale narcotics trafficking and its reported connections with international cartels, including networks operating in Mexico.

The arrest of his brother is seen by regional authorities as part of a broader strategy to weaken the operational structure of transnational criminal groups by targeting key members and their support networks. However, officials have not yet disclosed further details regarding the location or circumstances of the arrest.

As investigations continue, security forces in both Ecuador and Colombia are expected to maintain coordinated pressure on organized crime groups operating across their shared borders.