Drug lord who faked his own death is captured in tourist hotspot

2 weeks ago 8

One of Ecuador's most wanted drug lords, who faked his own death and moved to Spain, has been captured in Malaga, Ecuador's president has said.

Wilmer Chavarria, believed to be the leader of drug trafficking group Los Lobos, was arrested in the popular holiday destination in a joint operation with Spanish police, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said on Sunday.

Chavarria, also known as "Pipo", faked his death in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to Spain after obtaining a new identity, Mr Noboa said.

While in Spain, he coordinated drug shipments, ordered assassinations and ran extortion rackets against gold mines in Ecuador, the president added.

Los Lobos, which has around 8,000 fighters, was recently declared a terrorist organisation by US authorities.

The group has been linked to political assassinations in Ecuador and has also been accused of working closely with Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Ecuador used to be one of the most peaceful countries in South America, but after becoming a key transit point for cocaine produced in neighbouring Colombia and Peru, violent crimes and murders have spiked.

Between January and September, Ecuador seized more than 146 tonnes of drugs, down from 208 tonnes during the same period in 2024.

Violent deaths increased by more than 36% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025.

Drug trafficking gangs have attacked presidential candidates, civil officials and journalists as they fight for control over ports and coastal cities.

Chavarria's capture came as Ecuadorians looked set to vote against changing the constitution to allow foreign countries to run military bases in the country.

The measure, which was backed by Mr Noboa, was rejected by nearly two-thirds of voters in a national referendum, with around 90% of votes counted.

The president had argued it would help further anti-drug cooperation with countries like the US and increase pressure on drug traffickers.

In June, another Ecuadorian drug trafficker, Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as "Fito", was arrested after a year on the run.

Last year, five men, including two who were alleged to be Los Lobos members, were jailed for a total of more than 100 years for murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

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