Ecuador extradites two leaders of "Los Choneros" gang to United States
The Andean country extradited two men identified as heads of a criminal organisation linked to drug trafficking and arms smuggling.
Ecuador extradites two leaders of "Los Choneros" gang to United States
On Thursday, officials from the Andean country handed over two men considered key figures within a powerful local criminal organisation to agents of the United States. The transfer was carried out to the city of New York, where they will face justice for alleged crimes of drug trafficking and firearms smuggling, according to announcements made by security authorities.
The individuals handed over are Darío Peñafiel Nieto, nicknamed "Topo", and Celso Moreira Heredia, known as "Patucho". Both held command positions within "Los Choneros", considered one of the most important criminal structures in Ecuadorian territory. The Interior Ministry official, John Reimberg, confirmed to the media that the procedure was carried out in compliance with current regulations.
According to official reports, Peñafiel Nieto acted as the right-hand man of Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias "Fito", who was the principal leader of the group before being sent to the United States last year. "Topo" is attributed with participation in the illegal arms trade, murder, and formation of illegal armed groups. Moreira Heredia, for his part, allegedly managed the operations and pacts of the faction, facing accusations of criminal conspiracy, drug trafficking, and unlawful association.
The organisation emerged at the beginning of the 1990s. Local law enforcement officials point out that it dominated the drug corridor along the Pacific coast, collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel from Mexico. The North American government has included it on its list of foreign terrorist groups.
The handover of both individuals coincided with the extension of the decree declaring the country in a situation of internal armed conflict, a measure that the executive branch is using to combat the wave of violence unleashed by criminal mafias. During the year 2025, 9,216 violent deaths were recorded, a record figure in national history.
Source: The Morning Call
Source: Google News EC — Crime