On Tuesday afternoon, March 17, the Ecuadorian National Police executed an operation at an arms storage center for Los Choneros in the northwest region of Guayaquil. The investigation was led by the National Intelligence Directorate and the Citizen Security Intelligence Unit, which had identified properties used by the criminal organization to stockpile weapons and illegal substances. This operation was critical as these elements were linked to violent crimes, including armed attacks in the city.

The police intervention was supported by elite units from the Intervention and Rescue Group (GIR) and involved a significant effort to locate and apprehend key figures in the organization. During the raid, police successfully captured a prioritized criminal target linked to serious offenses such as contract killing, kidnapping, and extortion in the Nueva Prosperina district of northwest Guayaquil. This area has been plagued by ongoing violence associated with organized crime.

Identified as Rubén Hernán Z. B., also known by his aliases ‘Wiwi’ or ‘Teniente’, this individual is considered the leader of the faction within Los Choneros. His capture highlights the ongoing battle between law enforcement and organized crime in Ecuador, particularly concerning the troubling rise in violence and drug-related activities in urban areas. The police's efforts underscore the importance of intelligence-led operations in dismantling such criminal networks.