The Purga Case is the media term for a criminal judicial process in Ecuador in which the Attorney General's Office has pressed charges against several public officials and justice operators, seeking to prove the connections between politics, justice, and drug trafficking.
"The Purga Case is a demonstration of how corruption was generated from the highest spheres of legislative politics, which put at its service and, obviously, at the service of drug trafficking, the administration of justice in one of the most influential provinces of the country, Guayas, through which criminal economies had found a very profitable operating vehicle for impunity to flourish," stated Diana Salazar, who served as the Attorney General of Ecuador until May 20, 2024.
The investigative phase covered a period of 90 days in the criminal process related to organized crime within the Purga case, which began on March 5, 2024. During this stage, preventive detention orders were issued for eight of those involved, three were subject to periodic presentation measures with a prohibition on leaving the country. Additionally, one person was placed under house arrest. The Purga case was initiated with a fiscal file consisting of 490 volumes.
On March 3, 2025, the National Court of Justice rendered its verdict in the Purga case, sentencing ten individuals for criminal conspiracy. Former national assemblyman Pablo Muentes received a 13-year sentence, alongside five judges from the Provincial Court of Guayas who were convicted of their role in the scheme. Acting Attorney General Wilson Toainga stated in his closing remarks: "It is time for all state officials to understand that acts of public corruption destroy the constitutional state and violate the rights of all Ecuadorians." The verdicts marked the conclusion of the judicial phase and represented a significant outcome in Ecuador's anti-corruption efforts under the prosecutorial direction that had characterized the investigative stage.
Background On March 4, 2024, the National Court of Justice was the scene of a pivotal arraignment hearing related to the Purga case, involving 12 individuals accused of organized crime. Leading this session was Judge Javier de la Cadena of the National Court of Justice, who, in his crucial role, assessed the prosecution's request to determine appropriate precautionary measures for the defendants. The case took an unexpected turn when, after an extensive and thorough hearing that extended from 9:00 p.m. on March 4 until the early hours of the following day, the magistrate decided to impose preventive detention for 11 of the 12 accused, while one of them, due to advanced age, was granted the alternative of house arrest. In the 43 raids conducted within the Purga case, the Prosecutor's Office seized cell phones, laptops, information storage devices, liquor, jewelry, and cash. The operations took place in the provinces of Guayas and Pichincha.
Among the names that resonated in the National Court of Justice chamber during that day were prominent figures such as former Social Christian Assembly member Pablo Muentes and the former president of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas, Fabiola Gallardo. Both were implicated as part of the alleged organized crime scheme. This significant judicial process was characterized by its complexity and the seriousness of the charges, generating significant interest both in the public opinion and in the political and judicial circles of the country.
The hearing, which extended into the early hours of the morning, was suspended and resumed later, demonstrating the complexity and detailed analysis that Judge De la Cadena applied in evaluating each case. The determination of precautionary measures not only impacted the lives of the defendants but also sparked debates and discussions regarding the application of justice in cases of this magnitude, thus marking a relevant chapter in the judicial history of the country.
Involved in the corruption scheme
The Purga Case reveals a corruption scheme involving figures from the legal sphere. This report unravels the connections and activities pointing towards a corruption network that has permeated different levels of the judicial system.
María Fabiola Gallardo Ramia (Former President of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). Arrested for alleged organized crime. Gallardo ruled in favor of the protection action filed by the Army Engineering Corps against the Public Works Company of Quito, for a $30 million contract, in exchange for the remodeling of the court's presidency floor. Johan Gustavo Marfetán Medina (Judge of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). Leader of a criminal organization, manipulated justice through habeas data. Investigated for allegedly receiving bribes totaling $140,000 to issue favorable rulings for the mother and brother of drug trafficker Leandro Norero. Pablo Bolívar Muentes Alarcón (Former Assembly Member of the Social Christian Party). Controlled the administration of justice in Guayas and directed this organized crime network. Allegedly financed the campaign and operation of Fabiola Gallardo, former President of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas. He would have used his proximity to Gallardo to benefit from a judicial ruling that allowed him and his wife to obtain a compensation of USD 3.9 million from Banco del Pacífico. He would have used falsified and adulterated receipts. Mónica Alvarado Vargas (Wife of Pablo Muentes). Allegedly benefited from judicial rulings obtained by her partner to validate false and altered payment receipts, justifying a $314,000 debt to the Banco del Pacífico. Reinaldo Efraín Cevallos Cercado (Judge of the Criminal Court of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). Ordered Banco del Pacífico to pay $3.9 million to Pablo Muentes in a habeas data recourse. In 2014, he was investigated for the discovery of high-caliber weapons in his residence, prompting a disciplinary process. In 2021, he led the investigation into the murder of presenter Efraín Ruales, calling seven people to trial for the crime. Hugo Manuel González Alarcón (Current President of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). Allegedly collaborated with Mayra Salazar in the "campaign" for the court presidency, focusing on the proposal of the "habeas data".In 2014, he was investigated for the discovery of high-caliber weapons in his residence, prompting a disciplinary process. In 2021, he led the investigation into the murder of presenter Efraín Ruales, calling seven people to trial for the crime. Mercedes Leonor Villarreal Vera (Provincial Director of the Judiciary Council of Guayas). Allegedly collaborated in filing administrative proceedings against Gallardo and participated in the introduction of the "electronic stamp" in the election of Hugo González. Ruth Catalina Solano Padilla (Legal Prosecutor of the Army Engineering Corps). Transferred $1,400 to Marya Salazar for the remodeling of the Court Presidency floor. Fausto Alfonso Mero Zambrano (Advisor to Mercedes Leonor Villarreal). Allegedly participated in filing administrative proceedings against Gallardo. Mayra Salazar Merchán (Communicator, with extensive power in Guayas justice). Allegedly managed "troll" accounts used in favor of Pablo Muentes' requests. In a chat with Daniel Salcedo, prosecuted in the Metastasis case, he is asked to spread a video about the murder of Fernando Villavicencio, in which alleged members of Los Lobos deny connections to the crime. Nelson Mecías Ponce Murillo (Judge of the Specialized Court for Family, Women, Children, and Adolescent Offenders). Ramos Alberto Lino Tumbaco (Judge of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). He voted in favor of ratifying the innocence of Abdalá and Michell Bucaram Puley, and Gabriela Pazmiño in the case of hospital corruption. He processed the appeal of those sentenced for the murder of Efrain Ruales, then excused himself from further proceedings. Pedro Guillermo Valarezo Coello (Judge of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). He was a member of the criminal court that revoked habeas corpus in favor of drug trafficker Junior Roldán (former leader of the Choneros). He was part of the court that ruled in favor of the Army Corps of Engineers in its legal dispute against the EPMOP, which resulted in the renovation of the floor of Gallardo's office Henry Robert Taylor Terán (Judge of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas). He was a member of the court that favored the Army Corps of Engineers in its case against the EPMOP, for which Gallardo received the remodeling of his office floor Pedro Moreira (Former Penitentiary Guarantees Judge for prevarication), for granting house arrest to Junior Roldán, leader of Los Choneros. Andersson Boscán (Journalist). Appears in the chats of drug trafficker Leandro Norero. Claudia Garzón (Former Commissioner for Prison Pacification during the government of Guillermo Lasso). Yanina Villagómez (Provincial Prosecutor of Guayas).Villagómez linked to the Metastasis case must answer for her apparent closeness to Xavier Novillo, alias Novi, one of the lawyers of drug trafficker Leandro Norero. She was called to give her version in the Purge case. Elcy Rumania Celi Loaiza (Former Vocal of the Judiciary). Appears in Mayra Salazar's chats.
Preventive Detention In a tension-filled judicial session, magistrate Javier de la Cadena ordered preventive detention against two prominent figures: Fabiola Gallardo, former president of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas, and Judge Johan Marfetán. Both face accusations of leading an organized crime network in the Purga case, according to the Prosecutor's Office. This verdict marked a milestone in the legal process that unfolded on March 5, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. However, the case also revealed a particular situation with Pablo Muentes, a former Social Christian Assembly member, who claimed depression to avoid preventive detention. Despite the presentation of medical certificates mentioning depressive disorders, anxiety, and high blood pressure, the judge dismissed these arguments, emphasizing that they did not qualify as special cases contemplated in the Penal Code.
After a recess of more than 10 hours, National Court of Justice Judge Javier de la Cadena resumed the arraignment hearing against the 12 detainees in the Purga case. The arrival of the apprehended individuals, escorted under heavy police guard, coincided with the entrance of Attorney General Diana Salazar, who was wearing a bulletproof vest. During this crucial phase, the magistrate considered the Prosecutor's request, contemplating the imposition of preventive detention for the majority of the detainees and house arrest for Judge Bernardo Cevallos, citing his advanced age, over 70 years old. This highlighted moment in the hearing reflected the complexity and meticulousness with which judicial decisions were approached.
After hearing arguments from the defense lawyers of the accused, Judge Javier de la Cadena left the courtroom to deliberate on the request for preventive detention by Prosecutor Diana Salazar. The hearing, initially scheduled to resume at 4:00 p.m., experienced a postponement and finally resumed at 6:00 p.m. This prolonged episode underscored the importance and sensitivity of the judicial process, keeping the public opinion on edge and generating expectations regarding the judicial decisions that would determine the fate of those involved in the Purga case.