August 16th 2024.
This week, a well-known gang leader from Peru was taken into custody by US immigration authorities in New York. Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the leader of the notorious "Los Killers" gang, is wanted for 23 murders in his home country. The arrest took place in Endicott, New York, which is about 233 kilometers northwest of New York City, according to a statement released today by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Currently, Torres-Navarro is being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo as he awaits an immigration hearing. This comes after he entered the US illegally through the Texas-Mexico border on May 16. He was initially arrested on the same day and given a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The agency, also known as ICE, became aware of Torres-Navarro's presence in the US on July 8 and immediately moved to arrest him. "Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won't allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens," said Thomas Brophy, the director of enforcement removal operations for ICE's Buffalo field office.
In addition to Torres-Navarro, his girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, was also arrested by immigration agents. She is considered Torres-Navarro's right-hand woman according to Peruvian authorities. Currently, she is being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania, as listed on ICE's Online Detainee Locator System.
The records for both Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús do not include any information on lawyers who could speak on their behalf. On July 3, Peru's justice system confirmed that they had issued a warrant for the couple's international capture.
According to authorities in Peru, Torres-Navarro is the leader of a criminal organization known as "Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao." This group is known for using violence to maintain control over their territory and extort construction companies. Torres-Navarro is also suspected of fleeing Peru after allegedly being involved in the killing of a retired police officer and the shooting of a municipal employee at a restaurant in March.
Six members of "Los Killers" were recently arrested in June, accused of homicide, contract killing, and extortion. This group, formed in 2022 in an area along the Pacific coast, is located near Peru's main port. The National Police of Peru carried out the arrests in a series of raids.
Prior to leading "Los Killers," Torres-Navarro was a member of another criminal organization called Los Malditos de Angamos, according to Peru's Public Prosecutor's Office. He is also known as "Gianfranco 23," a nickname that references the number of people he is believed to have killed.
Despite previous attempts to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes, Torres-Navarro has managed to evade capture. In 2019, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for illegal weapons possession while on the run from authorities. He was finally apprehended in 2021 at a toll checkpoint near Lima, Peru's capital city. However, he was ultimately acquitted and released last December.
After his release, Peruvian authorities noted an increase in violence from "Los Killers," culminating in the recent shooting in San Miguel. Torres-Navarro's girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, played a prominent role in the gang, according to authorities. She is described as Torres-Navarro's romantic partner, lieutenant, and cashier by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Ortiz Ubillús also has a significant social media presence, particularly on the popular platform TikTok. On her account, she often flaunted the couple's luxurious lifestyle, including designer clothes, vacations, and trips to the gun range. For all the latest news, celebrity updates, and sports coverage, follow us on WhatsApp and join our exclusive channel. No algorithms, no comments, and your privacy is fully protected.
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