Erick Moreno Hernandez, also known as "El Monstruo" (The Monster), was handed over Wednesday morning by Paraguayan authorities to their Peruvian counterparts as part of the extradition process to face justice in Peru for serious crimes linked to organized crime.
The handover of the alleged ringleader of the criminal organization "Los Injertos del Cono Norte" (The Grafts of the Northern Cone) took place at around 7:00 a.m. (Peruvian time) at facilities of the Paraguayan Air Force's aerotactical group, located near Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion.
Under heavy police security, Moreno Hernandez boarded an Antonov aircraft belonging to the Peruvian National Police (PNP) Aviation Directorate. The aircraft took off at 7:15 a.m.
Technical stopovers before arrival in Lima
PNP General Commander Oscar Arriola reported that the transfer to Lima included technical stopovers in Cochabamba (Bolivia) and later in Arequipa (Peru).
At these locations, refueling operations, aircraft inspections, and a medico-legal examination of Erick Moreno Hernandez would be carried out, in coordination with the Legal Medicine Institute based in that city.
"Arrangements have already been made for technical stopovers at certain points along the route. There will be a technical stopover in Cochabamba, Bolivia, followed by another technical refueling and inspection stopover in Arequipa, after which they will proceed to Lima," he indicated.
According to the PNP, the arrival of alias "El Monstruo" at the Police Aviation Directorate in Callao is expected at around 6:00 p.m. (local time).
Upon setting foot in Lima, he will be placed at the disposal of the corresponding judicial authorities.
Arrest and extradition process
The arrest of Erick Moreno Hernandez took place on September 24, 2025, in the town of San Roque, San Lorenzo district, Paraguay.
The operation was carried out jointly by Peru's Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dirincri) Organized Crime Division and Paraguay's Organized Crime Directorate.
Following his arrest, identification and preliminary hearings were held, during which he was informed of the three extradition requests filed against him by the Peruvian justice system.
On December 17, 2025, Paraguayan authorities confirmed that Moreno Hernandez was fit to be extradited to Peru, at the request of the Third Preparatory Investigation Court in Northern Lima.
In the final stage of this process, a team from the Peruvian Public Ministry (Prosecutor's Office)—comprising specialized prosecutors and a medical examiner—traveled to Paraguay to take part in the procedures prior to his handover.
Criminal background
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.
Likewise, he is 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" criminal organization, which is engaged in crimes such as kidnappings, extortion rackets, threats, and other acts of violence.
As part of the investigations, properties linked to his family circle were raided in June last year, leading to the arrest of his mother—accused of allegedly acting as a front person—and his partner.
Those operations also made it possible to establish the escape route he is believed to have used to flee to Paraguay and Brazil.
Given the threat he posed, the Ministry of Interior offered a reward of up to S/1 million (US$281,531) for information leading to his whereabouts and capture.
(END) LIT/MVB
Published: 1/28/2026