Peru: Judiciary orders 36-month preventive detention for 'El Monstruo'

Photo: ANDINA/Eddy Ramos

Photo: ANDINA/Eddy Ramos

00:30 | Lima, Jan. 29.

The Judiciary ordered 36 months of preventive detention for Erick Moreno Hernandez, alias “El Monstruo” (The Monster), as part of an investigation into kidnapping and criminal organization offenses.

The case is being handled by the Third Preparatory Investigation Court in Independencia district of the Lima North Superior Court of Justice, the Judiciary reported via social media on Wednesday night.

Moreno Hernandez was brought to the city of Lima to face justice, following his extradition from Paraguay, where he was captured on September 24, 2025.

The detainee was handed over on Wednesday morning at around 7:00 a.m. (Peru time), at facilities of the Paraguayan Air Force's Aerotactical Group, to Peruvian authorities to complete the extradition process.

Alias "El Monstruo" has been identified by the police as the alleged perpetrator of the kidnapping of businesswoman Jackeline Salazar Flores, which occurred in May 2024 in Lima's Los Olivos district.

He is also accused of multiple extortion cases reported in different areas of the Peruvian capital.

Authorities identify him as the main ringleader of "Los Injertos del Cono Norte" (The Grafts of the Northern Cone) criminal organization, which is engaged in crimes such as kidnappings, extortion rackets, threats, and other acts of violence.

(END) JCR/MVB

Published: 1/29/2026