US authorities capture notorious Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 murders

United States immigration authorities have arrested Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the infamous leader of the Peruvian gang “Los Killers,” who is a prime suspect in at least 23 murders in Peru. The arrest took place on Wednesday in Endicott, New York, approximately 145 miles northwest of New York City.

According to an AP report, the 38-year-old Torres-Navarro was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is currently being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo, pending an immigration hearing. ICE announced his capture on Thursday, highlighting the significant threat he posed to communities.

Torres-Navarro illegally entered the United States via the Texas-Mexico border on May 16 and was initially arrested the same day. He received a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, but U.S. authorities expedited their actions after learning he was wanted in Peru on July 8.

“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,” stated Thomas Brophy, director of ICE’s Buffalo field office.

In conjunction with Torres-Navarro’s arrest, ICE also detained his girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, who is described by Peruvian authorities as his right hand. She is currently held at a processing center in Pennsylvania.

Peruvian authorities confirmed that they had ordered the international capture of Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús on July 3. Col. Franco Moreno, head of Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, disclosed that the authorities tracked phone calls, geolocations, and messages to pinpoint the gang’s activities. Moreno labeled Torres-Navarro as a highly dangerous criminal responsible for the brutal murders of 23 individuals, including rival gang leaders and their families, to cement his control.

Leading the criminal organization “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao,” Torres-Navarro used violence to enforce extortion rackets against construction companies. His notoriety surged after fleeing Peru following the murder of a retired police officer, Cesar Quegua Herrera, and the shooting of a municipal employee in March.

In June, Peruvian authorities arrested six reputed members of “Los Killers,” charging them with homicide, contract killing, and extortion. Despite being sentenced in absentia to 10 years for illegal weapons possession in 2019, Torres-Navarro evaded capture until he was detained near Lima in 2021. After being acquitted and released last December, violence attributed to “Los Killers” escalated.

Ortíz Ubillús, Torres-Navarro’s romantic partner and lieutenant, gained notoriety on TikTok by showcasing their extravagant lifestyle, including designer clothes and luxurious vacations.

This arrest marks a significant milestone in international law enforcement cooperation, aiming to curb the influence of violent criminal organizations across borders.