On October 7, 2024, a judge in Ecuador summoned 30 of the 37 accused individuals to trial in the 'Metástasis' corruption case, which involves organized crime infiltrating the judicial, police, and prison systems. This case emerged following the 2022 prison assassination of drug trafficker Leandro 'El Patrón' Norero.
The National Prosecutor's Office reported that Judge Manuel Cabrera of the National Court of Justice accepted the prosecution's request to bring the 30 defendants to trial, while dismissing charges against the remaining seven. Among those facing charges are former National Court judge Wilman Terán, businessman Xavier Jordán, and former assembly member Ronny Aleaga.
Judge Cabrera stated that there are 'sufficient and well-founded presumptions' regarding the defendants' involvement in the alleged crimes, which will be resolved during the trial phase. The prosecution presented 340 pieces of evidence indicating that several accused, including Fabián C., Cristian R., Xavier J., and Xavier N., were purportedly the leaders of the criminal organization.
Prior to this trial, 12 other defendants had already been convicted through abbreviated procedures after admitting their guilt and implicating others in exchange for reduced sentences. The investigation began following Norero's murder in 2022 at Latacunga prison in Cotopaxi province.
According to police reports, Norero was financing and supporting various criminal gangs from prison, including Los Lobos, Los Tiguerones, and Chone Killers, which sought to displace the dominance of Los Choneros, the oldest and largest organized crime group in the country. Following his death, the prosecution analyzed his cell phones and uncovered that Norero was leading a criminal organization aimed at securing benefits and privileges within the prison system, as well as seeking impunity for himself and his family in a money laundering case.
The alleged corruption network supporting him included judges, prosecutors, police officers, prison guards, and lawyers. The prosecution emphasized that 'the materiality of the offense is demonstrated' and will seek to prove the involvement and responsibility of the other defendants in this case, which came to light in late 2023 following a major operation that initially arrested 39 individuals.