Bolivia captures leader of feared Peruvian gang Los Pulpos

Jhonsson Smit Cruz, one of Peru’s most wanted men and the alleged leader of the feared Los Pulpos gang, was captured in Bolivia and is due to be expelled to Peru.

Cruz, 30, known as “John Pulpo,” was arrested Tuesday morning in a commercial building in La Paz after allegedly trying to flee, according to Bolivian police chief Adrián Álvarez. Another alleged member of the organization was arrested with him. Both will be expelled to face proceedings in Peru.

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In Bolivia has been detained

Peruvian Interior Minister César Astudillo confirmed the arrest and described Los Pulpos as a source of fear in Trujillo, where the gang built an extortion network. The group is associated with extortion, kidnappings and contract killings. Cruz had been sentenced to life in prison for killing a merchant during a robbery in Trujillo in 2020.

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that in Trujillo particularly (...) are the fear of all the people

Álvarez called Cruz a “high-value regional target,” saying he had also allegedly operated in Chile and Argentina and was seeking to do the same in Bolivia. Investigators said Cruz led more than 100 members of Los Pulpos and underwent several cosmetic surgeries to avoid identification. Police found him unarmed and carrying $10,000.

Peru’s National Police said the United States cooperated with Peruvian and Bolivian authorities in the operation. The arrest followed a violent episode in Trujillo, where Los Pulpos allegedly killed four people on Sunday during the kidnapping of a mining businessman who was released Monday afternoon. Peruvian authorities had offered a reward equivalent to about $146,000 for information leading to Cruz’s whereabouts.

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high-value regional target