The Lima North Provincial Prosecutor's Office Specialized in Human Trafficking Offenses secured a seven-day preliminary detention order against Pocho Pinto, 54, who is under investigation for alleged aggravated human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation.
The alleged victims include the late Julio Salazar and three other Peruvian citizens, whom Pocho Pinto allegedly recruited to travel to Russia under false promises of job opportunities.
According to the investigation led by Provincial Prosecutor Luisa Ines Quispe Asmat, the suspect allegedly recruited Salazar and other victims.
Likewise, he allegedly facilitated their transportation to the Russian Federation in March 2026 to work as security and protection personnel at a military base.
To that end, he reportedly offered a monthly salary of approximately US$2,300, as well as a US$20,000 bonus upon completion of one year of service, with the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship.
Furthermore, as part of the recruitment process, Pinto allegedly explicitly told the victims that they would not be sent to a war zone or the front lines.
The planned travel route was Lima–Paris–Istanbul–Moscow–Ufa.
As a result of these events, Salazar died last April during the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The measure includes the search of two properties in Lima's Comas district, as well as the seizure of cell phones, USB drives, a firearm, credit cards, cash in Peruvian soles and U.S. dollars, as well as other items of interest.
It is worth noting that the operation, carried out alongside specialized deputy provincial prosecutors, also received support from the Peruvian National Police's Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling to clarify the suspect's alleged involvement in the case.
The NGO Aerial Recovery is providing support during the operation as well.