Ecuador's top court has approved the extradition of Dario Penafiel, known as "Topo" and a high-ranking lieutenant of the "Los Choneros" gang, to the United States. Penafiel, arrested in September, is wanted by a New York court for large-scale drug trafficking and firearms offenses. He was reportedly involved in illegal mineral extraction and had ties to a dissident FARC faction. Penafiel previously served time in Ecuador for kidnapping and criminal conspiracy.
Authorities previously extradited "Los Choneros" leader Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito," who faces charges related to importing cocaine into the U.S. American commandos have recently joined Ecuadorian forces in operations targeting narco-terrorist organizations along the coast, aiming to dismantle trafficking networks.