Metastasis case concludes as judges hand down 20 sentences in judicial corruption scandal

The biggest judicial corruption case in Ecuador history, code-named Metastasis, concluded Monday with the sentencing of 20 men and women who worked with drug trafficker Leandro Norero to provide favorable treatment of drug gang convicts. Among those headed to prison are the former president of the National Judicial Council, judges, prison officials and police commanders.

Wilman Terán, former president of the National Judicial Council, was sentenced Monday to nine years, four months, in prison.

According to the convictions, most of those sentenced received bribes from Norero to release convicts, reduce their sentences or to improve prison accommodations. A three-judge panel in Quito was in unanimous agreement on the sentences.

The biggest name among those sentenced was Wilman Terán, former head of the national judiciary, and who was convicted of using his authority to meet Norero’s demands. Terán was given a nine-year, four-month sentence.

Others sentenced Monday included Claudia Garzón, former commissioner of prisons; Pablo Ramírez, former director of the national prison system; Carlos Zambrano, former president of the Manabí Provincial Court; and Armando Ruiz, Guayas police commander.

Most of those convicted admitted their guilt.

Norero, alias ‘El Patrón’, was founder and leader of the Chone Killers gang. He was murdered during a riot while serving a prison sentence in October 2022.