The Peruvian National Police (PNP) dismantled the criminal gang known as “El Tren de Aragua Nueva Generacion” in Lima's El Agustino district. The group is accused of kidnapping and torturing its victims to demand large sums of money in exchange for their release.
PNP Commander General Oscar Arriola reported that 15 people were arrested during the operation, including 11 Venezuelan nationals and four Peruvians. Likewise, a minor was taken into custody.
He specified that Special Group against Organized Crime (Greco) agents raided several properties in El Agustino to capture members of this criminal organization linked to kidnappings and extortion.
According to police investigations, the gang operated under a scheme in which women seduced the victims and gained their trust before leading them to prearranged locations.
Once there, other armed members entered the vehicle and carried out the kidnapping.
Arriola explained that one of the victims was an engineer and another a mining entrepreneur, who allegedly paid up to S/300,000 (about US$87,565) to secure his release.
He revealed that one of the detainees was accused of mutilating the fingers of kidnapping victims as a method of torture and pressure against their relatives.
The woman was fully identified by two of the five victims recognized so far.
During the police operation, several suspects attempted to escape by jumping from the third floor of one of the raided properties. As a result, some were injured and taken to a hospital.
Police also seized motorcycles, cell phones, firearms, and drugs — items that, according to authorities, demonstrate the criminal gang's structure and level of organization.
The detainees were transferred to the Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dirincri) headquarters. There, they will be investigated for the alleged crime against personal liberty in the form of kidnapping, without ruling out other offenses related to extortion and organized crime.
(END) LIT/MVB