Darío Javier Peñafiel

Darío Javier Peñafiel, known as Topo, is a notorious figure in Ecuador's criminal underworld, serving as a lieutenant for the powerful drug trafficker alias Fito. He was recently captured in the Amazon region while allegedly coordinating illegal mineral extraction operations. Peñafiel is identified as a leader of Los Choneros, a criminal gang that competes with Los Lobos for dominance in drug trafficking. He has connections to dissident factions of the Colombian FARC guerrilla group and faces extradition to the United States on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on organized crime initiated by President Daniel Noboa, who has implemented stringent measures against narcotics-related offenses in Ecuador.