Notorious Ecuadorian Drug Trafficker Arrested in Spain

Wilmer Geovanny Chavarría Barre, also known as Pipo, one of Ecuador's most wanted drug traffickers and the leader of the powerful criminal organization Los Lobos, was arrested in Malaga, Spain. His capture was a joint operation between the Spanish national police and the Ecuadorian police. Chavarría had just arrived at the Malaga-Costa del Sol airport from Morocco, using a false identity during his travel. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa highlighted that Chavarría coordinated various illegal mining operations along with drug trafficking in collaboration with the notorious Mexican cartel, Jalisco Nueva Generación. Interior Minister John Reimberg reported that Chavarría is suspected of being responsible for approximately 400 murders, indicating his significant impact on organized crime in the region. Chavarría's criminal activities were not limited to drug trafficking. He is accused of orchestrating numerous criminal operations from behind bars between 2011 and 2019, which included several car bombings and drone attacks in Guayaquil, a major coastal city in Ecuador. His ability to evade justice for years is notable; investigations reveal that he faked his own death, adopted a new Venezuelan identity, and acquired a Colombian passport, which facilitated his mobility into Spain. The Spanish national police have announced that they are preparing to handle an extradition request from Interpol, the international police organization that facilitates collaboration among law enforcement across nearly all nations. This development marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against international drug trafficking and organized crime. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2