Interior Minister Cesar Astudillo on Tuesday confirmed the capture in Bolivia of Jhonsson Cruz Torres, alias “Jhon Pulpo,” ringleader of the criminal organization “Los Pulpos.”
“A few minutes ago, the police chief informed me (…) that Jhon Pulpo, the main leader of the criminal organization ‘Los Pulpos,’ has been arrested in Bolivia. In Trujillo, in particular, they are feared by everyone. This main ringleader has finally been brought down,” he told Canal N.
Astudillo indicated that the capture was the result of work carried out from Peru and an outstanding arrest warrant against the detainee.
The Cabinet member said police teams had been tracking him. The government official added that the necessary procedures will be carried out to transfer him to Peru.
He also clarified that the arrest was carried out by Bolivian police and specified that “Jhon Pulpo” is currently in La Paz.
Regarding the suspect’s return to Peru, he noted, “It should be immediate (…).”
“Everything indicates that it is them; the investigations, Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dirincri) experts say: ‘It was Los Pulpos.’ (…) So far, what the police, with its experts, tell us is that it was Los Pulpos,” he said.
Astudillo explained that he had been coordinating with the police since the crime occurred and ordered Peruvian National Police Commander General Oscar Arriola to travel to Trujillo to direct and monitor the operations.
The minister specified that Arriola was accompanied by Dirincri personnel and two specialized teams.
Astudillo said he personally remained in Lima to monitor the operations.
“I did not travel because I had to attend to a delicate family situation for a few hours, but that did not interrupt my responsibilities as minister or the coordination of the operational response at any time,” he told RPP Noticias.
Finally, when asked about Arriola’s performance, he emphasized that calls for him to step down from his post cannot be a “distraction,” adding that “we are all being evaluated. (…) (Arriola) is technically qualified.”
