Ecuadorian Drug Kingpin Wilmer ‘Pipo’ Chavarria Arrested in Spain

One of Ecuador’s most wanted drug traffickers, Wilmer ‘Pipo’ Chavarria, was arrested in Spain on Sunday, four years after allegedly faking his own death from COVID-19. Authorities report that Chavarria managed to maintain control over a drug trafficking group during his time in hiding. His arrest took place in Malaga as part of a coordinated operation involving Spanish and Ecuadorian police.

Chavarria, who led the criminal organization known as Los Lobos, or “The Wolves,” was apprehended while wearing a black-and-green tracksuit. Spain’s National Police shared images of the arrest, which show him being escorted to a patrol car by officers. Los Lobos reportedly consists of around 8,000 members and has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States as of September 2023.

The gang has been linked to a series of political assassinations in Ecuador and has been accused of collaborating with Mexico’s notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel. According to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Chavarria faked his death in 2021, claiming to have suffered a heart attack due to COVID-19. His family had publicly stated that he had died, but Chavarria allegedly used this deception to assume a new identity and orchestrate criminal operations from Europe.

In a statement posted on X, President Noboa highlighted Chavarria’s continued influence while in hiding. He claimed that the fugitive coordinated drug shipments, ordered assassinations in Ecuador, and controlled illegal mining operations. “Some wrote him off as dead; we hunted him down in his very own hell. That’s the difference when there’s the will to fight for your country,” Noboa wrote. He also expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the Ecuadorian and Spanish National Police, stating, “To combat transnational crime, international cooperation is a necessity.”

Ecuador has witnessed a surge in violent crime and homicides in recent years, transitioning from one of South America’s most peaceful nations to a hotspot for drug-related violence. Drug trafficking gangs have instigated attacks on political figures and journalists as they vie for control over key ports used for cocaine trafficking from Colombia and Peru.

Chavarria’s arrest coincided with a significant political moment in Ecuador, where citizens voted on a proposal to allow foreign countries to operate military bases in the country. The proposal was rejected, marking a setback for President Noboa, who had advocated for the reform as a means to enhance anti-drug cooperation with the United States and increase pressure on drug traffickers.

“The international cooperation is the only way to dismantle these (drug trafficking) groups, which are transnational criminal networks,” Noboa stated after casting his ballot. The president recently held discussions with US officials regarding security and migration issues and even provided a tour of a potential military base for US troops.

Chavarria’s arrest is a significant development in Ecuador’s ongoing struggle against drug trafficking and organized crime. As authorities continue to combat these transnational networks, the collaboration between nations remains vital to restoring order in a country grappling with escalating violence and instability.