(MENAFN) Ecuador’s government announced the arrest of a senior figure within the Los Lobos narcotics network, a long-pursued offender who had pretended to be deceased and concealed himself in Europe, President Daniel Noboa stated on Sunday.

Noboa revealed that the detained figure is Wilmer "Pipo" Chavarria, who had reportedly altered his identity before escaping the nation.

Chavarria is believed to have directed homicides inside Ecuador, overseen unlawful mining sites, and supervised significant drug-smuggling corridors in partnership with Mexico’s Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel.

Interior Minister John Reimberg noted that Chavarria is linked to no fewer than 400 fatalities.
Police commander Pablo Vinicio Davila Maldonado explained that the operation occurred in Malaga, Spain.

Noboa emphasized that authorities managed to locate Chavarria even though he was presumed dead in 2021.

He expressed gratitude for the collaborative work of Ecuadorian and Spanish National Police, describing international coordination as "a necessity" for combating cross-border criminality.

"We have captured the highest-value target. Today the mafias fall back. Today Ecuador wins," he declared.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised Ecuador for apprehending "one of the most notorious organized crime figures in Latin America."

MENAFN17112025000045017167ID1110353027