US Detains Notorious Peruvian Gang Leader Accused in 23 Murders

U.S. immigration officials arrested Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, a reputed gang leader from Peru, on Wednesday in New York. He is suspected of being involved in 23 murders in his home country and is known for heading the violent gang “Los Killers.”

The arrest took place in Endicott, New York, located about 145 miles northwest of New York City. Following his arrest, which was executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Torres-Navarro was detained at a federal facility near Buffalo as he awaits an immigration hearing.

According to ICE, Torres-Navarro, aged 38, entered the United States illegally at the Texas-Mexico border on May 16. He was arrested on the same day and given a notification to appear for immigration proceedings. His apprehension in New York came after authorities received information on July 8 indicating that he was wanted for serious crimes in Peru.

ICE’s Buffalo field office director, Thomas Brophy, emphasized the threat posed by Torres-Navarro, stating, “He poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens.”

In a simultaneous operation, Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, was also arrested. Peruvian authorities have identified her as his right hand in the criminal organization, and she is currently being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania.

Details from online immigration detention records did not provide information about lawyers who could comment on the case of either Torres-Navarro or Ortíz Ubillús.

Peru’s justice system confirmed that the nation had ordered the location and international capture of Torres-Navarro and Ortiz-Ubilluz back on July 3. According to Col. Franco Moreno, head of Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, they used a range of investigative tools, including tracking phone calls and geolocations, to monitor Torres-Navarro and his gang, which consists of at least ten members.

Col. Moreno described him as “a highly dangerous criminal who believed he was untouchable.” He stated that Torres-Navarro’s activities include responsibility for the deaths of several gang leaders, often targeting not just their lives but also their families, all in an effort to maintain and enhance his ranking within the criminal hierarchy.

Torres-Navarro is said to lead a gang called “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao,” which has engaged in violent methods to eliminate competition threatening their primary business of extorting construction firms.

Reports from Peruvian media suggest that Torres-Navarro fled Peru following the murder of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera and a violent incident involving a municipal worker at a restaurant in San Miguel back in March.

In June, multiple members of “Los Killers” were arrested during a series of operations led by the National Police of Peru, facing charges of homicide, contract killing, and extortion.

Torres-Navarro’s past includes affiliations with another criminal organization known as Los Malditos de Angamos. He has also been referred to as “Gianfranco 23,” a moniker that signifies the number of murders he is alleged to have committed.

Trouble with law enforcement has been a recurring theme in Torres-Navarro’s life. He was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison in 2019 for illegal weapons possession while evading capture. Although he was arrested at a toll checkpoint in 2021 near Lima, he did not remain incarcerated for long. After being acquitted, he was freed last December.

The resurgence of violence attributed to “Los Killers” escalated sharply after his release, culminating in the aforementioned shooting incident in San Miguel.

Ortíz Ubillús holds a significant role within the gang, acting not only as Torres-Navarro’s romantic partner but also as a lieutenant and cashier. She has gained attention on social media, particularly on TikTok, where she showcases a lavish lifestyle that includes luxury clothing, vacations at resorts, and visits to gun ranges.

As both individuals face serious legal challenges ahead, the international community remains vigilant regarding the activities of gangs and organized crime.

Source: AP News