The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in Callao on Monday announced that an arrest and location order has been issued for Callao Region Governor Ciro Castillo Rojo as part of an investigation into alleged criminal organization and aggravated collusion.
The measure follows an operation that included raids on more than 20 properties in Lima and Callao.
According to the Public Ministry, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office raided 27 properties and secured the preliminary judicial detention of four (4) public officials from Callao Regional Government (GORE Callao).
The proceedings are led by Provincial Prosecutor Wils Gonzales Morales and Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Julio Cupe Gonzales from the Third Office of the Specialized Provincial Prosecutor's Office for Corruption Crimes by Officials in Callao. They receive support from the Peruvian National Police (PNP).
According to the investigation, an alleged criminal organization called "Los Socios del GORE Callao" (The Associates of GORE Callao) is reported to have operated during 2023, circumventing legally established selection processes and directing over 60 public contracts totaling S/1,461,121.10 (about US$433,181).
The investigation involves 15 officials and public servants from GORE Callao.
They had allegedly coordinated the irregular issuance of purchase and service orders to favor certain suppliers, including Regional Governor Ciro Castillo Rojo, for whom an arrest and location order has been issued.
Dismantling of criminal network
Regarding the operation, the PNP's Anti-Corruption Directorate (Dircocor) Chief, Luis Alberto Lira, stated that a large-scale operation was carried out in compliance with a judicial order against an alleged criminal organization operating within the Callao Region Government.
"This criminal organization has been operating since 2023, directing goods and services to favor two suppliers," Lira indicated.
The officer specified that preliminary detention was ordered for 11 individuals, of whom three (3) are abroad and eight (8) are in Peru, including the regional governor, who has not yet been detained.
He also reported that the Intelligence Directorate is working to locate and subsequently detain Ciro Castillo. A nationwide alert has been issued at all border posts and airports to prevent him from leaving the country.
Appeal
Meanwhile, Castillo's lawyer, Humberto Abanto, questioned the judicial measure and announced that they will file an appeal.
"We are going to appeal the decision (…) it is quite vague," Abanto said, noting that "the raid is justified because, according to the judge, there is usually documentation in the homes of criminal organizations' ringleaders. That is vague."
Lastly, Abanto reiterated that Ciro Castillo's legal defense will file the appropriate appeals within the framework of the law.