On Sunday evening, Spanish police arrested Wilmer Chavarría, known as “Pipo,” the leader of the Los Lobos criminal organization in Ecuador, immediately upon his arrival on a flight from Morocco. This operation marks one of the most significant strikes against organized crime in Latin America in recent years.
Spanish security sources indicated that the close cooperation between Morocco and Spain was a key factor in the success of this operation. Moroccan authorities played a crucial role in monitoring the movements of the wanted individual and identifying his transit points, which contributed to his arrest upon landing at Malaga Airport.
“Pipo” is known for evading justice in recent years by fabricating news of his death during the COVID-19 pandemic and using false identities to travel between several countries before settling in Spain in 2022. Despite his attempts at deception, investigations revealed that he continued to manage the Los Lobos network from Europe, benefiting from complex alliances with international smuggling networks.
The arrest of “Pipo” is seen as a significant blow to organized crime in Ecuador and highlights the effectiveness of international security coordination in combating transnational criminal networks. Sources indicate that Morocco continues to play a pivotal role as a key security link between Europe and Latin America, bolstering its position as a reliable partner in the fight against cross-continental crime.
Spanish and Ecuadorian authorities confirmed that investigations would continue to uncover all the logistical pathways that “Pipo” relied on during his travels, noting that the operation exemplifies successful international security cooperation and information exchange between countries.
