The Peruvian National Police (PNP) dismantled a criminal gang exclusively dedicated to the counterfeiting and distribution of U.S. dollars. Law enforcement agents seized nearly US$3.6 million in fake currency during an operation carried out in Lima's San Juan de Miraflores district.
PNP Major Victor Chafloque, a member of the Organized Crime Investigation Division, said the operation was carried out on January 26 following an extended intelligence effort.
"The operations center of this criminal gang dedicated to the adulteration of foreign currency—specifically US$50 and US$100 bills—was located," he indicated.
During the mission, agents found 31 batches of counterfeit banknotes, each containing approximately 1,600 sheets.
After calculating the altered denominations, the total amount seized rose to around US$3.6 million in counterfeit bills.
Chafloque said the gang was made up of three individuals. They will be prosecuted for criminal organization and offenses against the monetary order, specifically counterfeiting foreign currency.
"The penalty for this offense ranges from eight (8) to 15 years in prison, but is aggravated because it involves a criminal organization," he pointed out.
The officer revealed that the detainees have recorded migration movements to countries such as Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and even Germany—information that is being shared with international agencies to determine the network's scope and the individual responsibility of each suspect.
During the operation, agents also seized a firearm—which one of the suspects attempted to dispose of by throwing it into a neighboring property—as well as 15 mobile phones, several of which had been reported stolen.
According to the police, these findings raise the possibility that the organization may be linked to other crimes.
Chafloque said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the criminal gang had links to other counterfeiting networks in Peru or abroad.