Reputed Peruvian gang chief arrested in NY as suspect wished for 23 killings in his dwelling nation

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 his dwelling nation, was arrested in Endicott, New York, about 145 miles (233 kilometers) 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 data on July 8 that he was wished in Peru.

“Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a major menace to our communities, and we received’t permit New York to be a protected haven for harmful 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 response to ICE’s On-line Detainee Locator System.

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

In response to 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 in search of to chop into its core enterprise of extorting development corporations.

Torres-Navarro allegedly fled Peru after the killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera 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 predominant port is situated, 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.

His girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, has a outstanding position in “Los Killers,” Peruvian authorities stated.

The Public Prosecutor’s Workplace described her as Torres Navarro’s romantic accomplice, 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.

Related Press reporters Carolyn Thompson and Phil Marcelo contributed to this report.