Los Choneros gang members prosecuted for illegal arms trafficking in Manta, Ecuador
Eight individuals, including a teenager, were charged by the Fiscalía General del Estado for involvement in illegal firearms trafficking. The investigation stemmed from a raid on a property in the San José neighborhood of Tarqui, Manta, where authorities discovered three rifles, a pistol, ammunition, and other equipment linked to the criminal group Los Choneros. The suspects were placed under preventive detention, with travel bans imposed on the pregnant suspect Jona A. The court also ordered periodic appearances for the remaining defendants.
Evidence presented included a technical inspection report, seized weapons, 136 rounds of ammunition, a vehicle, and five mobile phones. The charges carry a potential prison term of sixteen to nineteen years under article 362 of the Ecuadorian penal code.
Entities: China Railway · Ecuador · Fiscalía General del Estado · Guayaquil · Iván Saquicela · Jonathan David V. C. · Los Choneros · Manta · Michael Hernández · National Court of Justice (Ecuador) · San José (Tarqui) · Unidad Antisecuestro y Extorsión (Unase)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The kidnapping occurred on 15 July 2025 on the Salitre‑Guayaquil road. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The extortion demand was US$250,000 for the victim’s release. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jonathan David V. C. and Wilder Alexander Ch. V. were sentenced to 21 years and four months imprisonment for extortion kidnapping. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Protective measures prohibit the perpetrators from approaching or intimidating the victim or her family. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police captured the suspects in the La Floresta sector of southern Guayaquil. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court imposed a fine of 400 basic unified salaries and a restitution of US$5,000 to the victim. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The victim was located in the La Finca sector and identified the two men as her captors. (Guayaquil kidnapping sentencing article)