Latest news with #Fito
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Watch as fugitive drug lord Fito ‘The Lion' is found in trapdoor lair after daughter, 3, accidentally revealed hideout
WATCH the moment Ecuador's most-wanted fugitive, a drug lord dubbed "The Lion", is recaptured by police beneath a trap door. José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, had been on the run for a year-and-a-half after busting out of prison in January 2024, when his escape sparked a wave of violence in the country. 7 7 Footage of Wednesday's arrest shows Fito pinned to the ground on his front surrounded by a swarm of heavily-armed cops. He calmly repeats his name at the orders of officers who bind his hands with cable ties and aim a pistol at his head. Another clip shows where the narco kingpin was discovered hiding. A huge slab of false floor slides back to reveal a hidden chamber extending through the house's foundations. Cops filmed themselves lowering into the cramped space and showed off the tight air-conditioned bunker which had concealed him. Fito was finally cuffed at the luxury home of his girlfriend, who is in jail, after a slip-up from his three-year-old daughter gave away his location. Before escaping, the convict had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking and murder. His jailbreak sparked a surge in gang violence across Mexico which left at least 20 people dead. The country's president, Daniel Noboa, declared a 60-day state of emergency in multiple provinces following the escalation. Fito evaded the authorities for eighteen months, despite a massive-scale operation to pin him down. Ecuadorian police bring end to terrifying live TV hijack and arrest several suspects Several members of his family were arrested a month ago, and many of their assets were confiscated in raids as the authorities tightened the screw. John Reimberg, the country's interior minister, described the sting as a "psychological operation". The trail to Fito began when it was noticed that a city transport official had stopped turning up to work - arousing suspicions. Tailing him led the police to Fito's inner circle, according to the national police commander. They noticed he frequently visited a swanky three-story building complete with a huge swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym and a games room. There were reportedly brand new sofas still wrapped in plastic and TVs still in their boxes. 7 7 7 But the clinching confirmation that Fito would be in the house at the time of the raid came from his young daughter, according to police commander Víctor Ordóñez. In a ten-hour operation, a huge cordon was put in place in the surrounding streets and drones buzzed around the give cops a 360 view. After a fine-tooth search, Fito was finally snared in an air-conditioned bunker accessed through a trap door beneath the kitchen sink. When the teams brought in heavy excavation equipment, Fito realised he could be crushed to death and scarpered out. Reimberg said: "When this happened, Fito panicked. "He opened the hatch where military and police personnel were located and left the hole." Within minutes, he was on the ground with guns pointed at his head and being forced to repeat his name out loud. He is now threatened with extradition to the US. 7
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch as fugitive drug lord Fito ‘The Lion' is found in trapdoor lair after daughter, 3, accidentally revealed hideout
WATCH the moment Ecuador's most-wanted fugitive, a drug lord dubbed "The Lion", is recaptured by police beneath a trap door. José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, had been on the run for a year-and-a-half after busting out of prison in January 2024, when his escape sparked Advertisement 7 José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, was recaptured after a year-and-a-half on the run Credit: Jam Press/@EjercitoECU 7 The fugitive was held on the floor at gunpoint and tied up 7 Fito was found hiding in an air-conditioned bunker beneath the floor of a kitchen Footage of Wednesday's arrest shows Fito pinned to the ground on his front surrounded by a swarm of heavily-armed cops. He calmly repeats his name at the orders of officers who bind his hands with cable ties and aim a pistol at his head. Another clip shows where the narco kingpin was discovered hiding. A huge slab of false floor slides back to reveal a hidden chamber extending through the house's foundations. Advertisement read more in world news Cops filmed themselves lowering into the cramped space and showed off the tight air-conditioned bunker which had concealed him. Fito was finally cuffed at the luxury home of his girlfriend, who is in jail, after a slip-up from his three-year-old daughter gave away his location. Before escaping, the convict had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking and murder. His jailbreak sparked a surge in gang violence across Mexico which left at least 20 people dead. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun The country's president, Daniel Noboa, declared a 60-day state of emergency in multiple provinces following the escalation. Fito evaded the authorities for eighteen months, despite a massive-scale operation to pin him down. Ecuadorian police bring end to terrifying live TV hijack and arrest several suspects Several members of his family were arrested a month ago, and many of their assets were confiscated in raids as the authorities tightened the screw. John Reimberg, the country's interior minister, described the sting as a "psychological operation". Advertisement The trail to Fito began when it was noticed that a city transport official had stopped turning up to work - arousing suspicions. Tailing him led the police to Fito's inner circle, according to the national police commander. They noticed he frequently visited a swanky three-story building complete with a huge swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym and a games room. There were reportedly brand new sofas still wrapped in plastic and TVs still in their boxes. Advertisement 7 The bunker was concealed beneath the kitchen of a plush three-storey apartment Credit: Jam Press/@EjercitoECU 7 Tanks took to the streets when the President declared a 60-day state of emergency after Fito's jailbreak last year 7 The drug kingpin is now threatened with extradition to the US But the clinching confirmation that Fito would be in the house at the time of the raid came from his young daughter, according to police commander Víctor Ordóñez. Advertisement In a ten-hour operation, a huge cordon was put in place in the surrounding streets and drones buzzed around the give cops a 360 view. After a fine-tooth search, Fito was finally snared in an air-conditioned bunker accessed through a trap door beneath the kitchen sink. When the teams brought in heavy excavation equipment, Fito realised he could be crushed to death and scarpered out. Reimberg said: "When this happened, Fito panicked. Advertisement "He opened the hatch where military and police personnel were located and left the hole." Within minutes, he was on the ground with guns pointed at his head and being forced to repeat his name out loud. He is now threatened with extradition to the US. 7 Fito will resume his 34-year sentence Credit: Jam Press/@EjercitoECU Advertisement
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Watch as fugitive drug lord Fito ‘The Lion' is found in trapdoor lair after daughter, 3, accidentally revealed hideout
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WATCH the moment Ecuador's most-wanted fugitive, a drug lord dubbed "The Lion", is recaptured by police beneath a trap door. José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, had been on the run for a year-and-a-half after busting out of prison in January 2024, when his escape sparked a wave of violence in the country. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, was recaptured after a year-and-a-half on the run Credit: Jam Press/@EjercitoECU 7 The fugitive was held on the floor at gunpoint and tied up 7 Fito was found hiding in an air-conditioned bunker beneath the floor of a kitchen Footage of Wednesday's arrest shows Fito pinned to the ground on his front surrounded by a swarm of heavily-armed cops. He calmly repeats his name at the orders of officers who bind his hands with cable ties and aim a pistol at his head. Another clip shows where the narco kingpin was discovered hiding. A huge slab of false floor slides back to reveal a hidden chamber extending through the house's foundations. Cops filmed themselves lowering into the cramped space and showed off the tight air-conditioned bunker which had concealed him. Fito was finally cuffed at the luxury home of his girlfriend, who is in jail, after a slip-up from his three-year-old daughter gave away his location. Before escaping, the convict had been serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking and murder. His jailbreak sparked a surge in gang violence across Mexico which left at least 20 people dead. The country's president, Daniel Noboa, declared a 60-day state of emergency in multiple provinces following the escalation. Fito evaded the authorities for eighteen months, despite a massive-scale operation to pin him down. Ecuadorian police bring end to terrifying live TV hijack and arrest several suspects Several members of his family were arrested a month ago, and many of their assets were confiscated in raids as the authorities tightened the screw. John Reimberg, the country's interior minister, described the sting as a "psychological operation". The trail to Fito began when it was noticed that a city transport official had stopped turning up to work - arousing suspicions. Tailing him led the police to Fito's inner circle, according to the national police commander. They noticed he frequently visited a swanky three-story building complete with a huge swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym and a games room. There were reportedly brand new sofas still wrapped in plastic and TVs still in their boxes. 7 The bunker was concealed beneath the kitchen of a plush three-storey apartment Credit: Jam Press/@EjercitoECU 7 Tanks took to the streets when the President declared a 60-day state of emergency after Fito's jailbreak last year 7 The drug kingpin is now threatened with extradition to the US But the clinching confirmation that Fito would be in the house at the time of the raid came from his young daughter, according to police commander Víctor Ordóñez. In a ten-hour operation, a huge cordon was put in place in the surrounding streets and drones buzzed around the give cops a 360 view. After a fine-tooth search, Fito was finally snared in an air-conditioned bunker accessed through a trap door beneath the kitchen sink. When the teams brought in heavy excavation equipment, Fito realised he could be crushed to death and scarpered out. Reimberg said: "When this happened, Fito panicked. "He opened the hatch where military and police personnel were located and left the hole." Within minutes, he was on the ground with guns pointed at his head and being forced to repeat his name out loud. He is now threatened with extradition to the US.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Ecuador's most wanted Narco found cowering under kitchen counter
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A criminal who escaped from prison in late 2023 was found in an underground bunker only accessible through a kitchen counter. 45-year-old Jose Adolfo Villamar, known as 'Fito', is the suspected leader of Los Choneros, Ecuador's largest criminal gang. He's now facing possible extradition to the US on seven charges issued against him in April this year. Villamar was convicted of murder and supplying the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel with tonnes of cocaine in 2011. But he escaped from Guayaquil Regional Prison 18 months ago, and the trail went cold until earlier this month. In early June, several members of his inner circle, including his brother and relatives of his partner, were arrested for allegedly laundering £17.5 million. He was found hiding in his hometown of Manta, with the Ecuadorian Army sharing images of its impressive layout on social media. Interior Minister John Reimberg said soldiers used an excavator to access the bunker during a 10-hour military operation. President Daniel Noboa called Fito one of the main targets of his war against organised crime in the country, which has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America. 'We have done our part to proceed with Fito's extradition to the United States; we are awaiting their response,' he said. The government had issued a £727,730 reward for information leading to the gang leader's arrest. Following his recapture, Fito was taken to Ecuador's maximum-security La Roca prison in Guayaquil to resume his 34-year sentence for drug trafficking, murder, and organised crime, imposed in 2011. In April, the US government issued seven charges against Fito, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine internationally, use of firearms, and smuggling arms. More Trending The US Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Los Choneros and their leader in February 2024. Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said: 'Drug trafficking gangs such as Los Choneros, many with ties to powerful drug cartels in Mexico, threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout the region. 'We stand in support of Ecuador in its fight to combat drug trafficking, curb the proliferation of prison gangs and prison violence, and take back its streets.' The extradition process to the US is ongoing. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman in her 40s stabbed to death just yards away from London Stadium MORE: Sword attacker who murdered schoolboy in rampage jailed for at least 40 years MORE: Teenager caught cowering in bushes after stabbing neighbour 51 times
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
How Ecuadorian narco mastermind Fito was found hiding in a secret chamber under his jailed girlfriend's house - as he faces extradition to the US
After a year on the run, Ecuador's most wanted fugitive, Fito, has been found hiding in a tunnel under his jailed girlfriend's home. The ruthless gang leader was arrested by armed police at Verónica Narcisa Briones Zambrano's property on Wednesday evening. His recapture came after his own daughter accidentally revealed his location, giving cops a chance to swoop in. Fito is now facing extradition to the US at the request of Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa, who has vowed more notorious gang members 'will fall'. Meanwhile, Zambrano is currently being held in a Guayaquil prison, according to an intelligence official. Before his escape in January 2024, the narco mastermind had been in prison, serving a 34-year sentence for organised crime, drug trafficking, and murder. Real named Jose Adolfo Macias Vilamir, Fito has also been charged in absentia by American prosecutors with seven counts of cocaine distribution, conspiracy and firearms-related crimes, including weapons smuggling. His breakout from an Ecuadorian prison resulted in a drastic surge of gang-related violence that lasted several days and left 20 people dead. The country's president, Noboa, declared a 60-day state of emergency in multiple provinces following the violence. Despite a months-long manhunt, he evaded capture until the president revealed that he had finally been apprehended. It's not the first time Fito had escaped from prison - he did so in 2013 but was captured after three months. He was discovered hiding in a kitchen bunker in Manta, his hometown. According to local media, officers stormed a luxury home and lifted a trap door to reveal his hiding spot. A month ago, several members of his family were arrested. Authorities also raided their businesses and confiscated many assets. The country's interior minister, John Reimberg, described the move as a 'psychological operation'. Police ramped up their investigation when they noticed a municipal transit official had stopped showing up to work months ago. Trailing him led them to Fito's inner circle, according to a national police commander. Cops discovered the trapdoor after an extensive search of the home It was established that the official often went to a plush three-storey building, the same one Fito was hiding in. The home came equipped with marble floors and walls, a huge swimming pool, a well-equipped gym, and a game room. There were brand new sofas still wrapped in plastic and TVs that were still in their boxes. Heavily armed men infiltrated the home when Fito's daughter accidentally revealed his location. Surrounding streets in the neighbourhood were blocked off as cops conducted the 10-hour-long operation. In the detailed sting operation, drones were deployed to gain a better understanding of the compound. After an extensive search, Fito was discovered hunkered down in an air-conditioned bunker in the kitchen. Police brought in heavy machinery for excavation, forcing Fito to come out when he realised he could be crushed to death. Describing the moment, Reimberg said: 'When this happened, Fito panicked. He opened the hatch where military and police personnel were located and left the hole.' Within minutes, he was on the ground with guns pointed at his head, as police forced him to repeat his name out loud. Ecuador has seen a huge increase in gang related crimes in recent years. As the leader of the Los Choneros gang, Fito was responsible for some of the gang's most gruesome antics. These includes car bombings, kidnappings, and many brutal murders. After he escaped from prison, Fito also became a suspect in the assasination of Fernando Villavicencio, a presidential hopeful who ran as an anti-corruption crusader. Fito, who became the leader of the gang after its former boss dies, is seen as a matyr by many in Ecuador's prison system There are murals in many prisons across the country dedicated to him His jailbreak led to prison riots where four officers were taken hostage. Additionally, masked armed men stormed a television station during a live broadcast. According to US prosecutors, Fito's gang has close ties with Mexico's Sinola cartel and the two worked to control drug trafficking routes between South America and the US. Officials in the States congratulated Ecuador on X for Fito's capture. A $1million cash prize was set aside for information that could lead to his arrest. President Noboa now says he is waiting for the US to make contact with him about Fito's extradition. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Fito took control of Los Choneros after the gang's former boss Jose Luis Zambrano died in December 2020. He is seen as a matyr by many in the prison system with murals of him painted on many jail walls. While locked up, the country's president criticised the privileges he enjoyed, including a socket to charge his phone. According to the the president, Fito also had an internet router outside his cell.
