Bolivian police authorities on Tuesday announced the expulsion of
He was arrested in La Paz as a result of tracking conducted pursuant to the arrest warrant requested by Peru.
Bolivian Police Commander General Adrian Alvarez said the work to identify, locate, and arrest alias "John Pulpo" for expulsion purposes had been underway since January this year.
"This individual, given his dangerousness and the extent of the criminal activities carried out from a base of operations in Peru, which also extended to Chile and Argentina and were intended to be carried out in Bolivia, will be expelled," he said after highlighting international coordination with the Peruvian National Police and the Chilean Investigative Police.
The police official said that, following instructions from the Ministry of Government and through a resolution issued by Bolivia's General Directorate of Migration, alias "John Pulpo" will be expelled from the country today.
"This individual, who was arrested today, already has a life sentence in Peru for multiple crimes committed. Likewise, this person is the subject of a red notice from INTERPOL, through which various international coordination efforts have been carried out," he added.
According to Bolivian authorities, Cruz Torres, who had been staying in Bolivia illegally, attempted to flee after being located by specialized police units in an apartment building, following information provided late Monday night.
Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, alias "John Pulpo," was arrested along with Gabriel Alexander Mendosilla Gomez.
At the time of his arrest, he was not carrying any weapons, but he had US$10,000, 700 bolivianos, 10,000 Chilean pesos, and several cell phones.
The Bolivian authorities also specified that alias "John Pulpo" had undergone several plastic surgeries on his face in an attempt to change his identity.
"Among them, plastic surgeries on his ears, cheekbones, eyebrows, and other areas have been detected," Alvarez indicated.
Earlier, Peru's Interior Minister Cesar Astudillo reported the capture of alias "John Pulpo" in La Paz.
The Cabinet member said that, for security reasons, authorities have been asked to keep details of his transfer confidential in an effort to return him to Peru as quickly as possible.
Moreover, he stressed that the individual's arrest represents significant progress in the fight against criminal organizations.
It will allow intelligence and investigative efforts to be intensified to locate other ringleaders and members of criminal groups operating in the country.
Publicado: 1/9/2026