U.S. arrests reputed Peruvian gang chief wished for 23 killings in his dwelling nation

NEW YORK — A reputed Peruvian gang chief suspected in practically two dozen killings in his dwelling nation was arrested Wednesday in New York by U.S. immigration authorities.

Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the chief of “Los Killers” who is needed for 23 killings in Peru, was arrested in Endicott, New York, about 145 miles northwest of New York Metropolis, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated Thursday. He’s being held at a federal detention facility close to Buffalo pending an immigration listening to, Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated.

Torres-Navarro, 38, entered the U.S. illegally on the Texas-Mexico border on Could 16. He was arrested the identical day and given a discover to look for immigration proceedings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated.

The company, often known as ICE, stated it moved to arrest Torres-Navarro after receiving info on July 8 that he was wished in Peru.

“Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens,” stated Thomas Brophy, the director of enforcement removing operations for ICE’s Buffalo subject workplace.

Immigration brokers additionally arrested Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, described by Peruvian authorities as his proper hand. She is being held at a processing middle in Pennsylvania, in line with ICE’s On-line Detainee Locator System.

On-line immigration detention information for Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús didn’t embody info on legal professionals who may touch upon their behalf.

Peru’s justice system confirmed to The Related Press that it ordered the placement and worldwide seize of Torres-Navarro and his companion Ortiz-Ubilluz on July 3.

In keeping with Peruvian authorities, Torres-Navarro is the chief of a prison group often known as “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” that has used violence to thwart rivals looking for to chop into its core enterprise of extorting building firms.

“Gianfranco 23” had managed to keep away from earlier makes an attempt to carry him accountable

Torres-Navarro allegedly fled Peru after the killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera and the taking pictures of a municipal worker at a restaurant in San Miguel in March, Peruvian media reported.

Six reputed members of “Los Killers,” fashioned in 2022 in an space alongside the Pacific coast the place Peru’s foremost port is positioned, have been arrested in a collection of raids in June and accused of murder, contract killing, and extortion, the Nationwide Police of Peru stated.

Torres-Navarro was beforehand a member of the Los Malditos de Angamos prison group, Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Workplace stated. He’s often known as “Gianfranco 23,” a reference to the variety of individuals he’s alleged to have killed.

Torres-Navarro eluded earlier makes an attempt to carry him accountable for his alleged crimes.

In 2019, whereas on the run from authorities, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in jail for unlawful weapons possession. He remained at giant till 2021, when he was arrested at a toll checkpoint close to Peru’s capital metropolis, Lima. However even then, he did not keep behind bars for lengthy. After an acquittal in that case, Torres-Navarro was freed final December.

Quickly after, Peruvian authorities stated, “Los Killers” ramped up its violence, culminating within the taking pictures in San Miguel.

Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, has a outstanding function in “Los Killers,” Peruvian authorities stated. The Public Prosecutor’s Workplace described her as Torres Navarro’s romantic companion, lieutenant and cashier.

She additionally has a large following on the social media platform TikTok the place she confirmed off their lavish life-style, together with designer garments, resort holidays and taking pictures targets at a gun vary.