Criminal Network Extorting Transporters Dismantled in Northern Lima; Operated from Prison

In a significant blow to organized crime, Peruvian authorities have successfully dismantled the criminal network known as Los Ángeles Verdes, which had been systematically extorting transport operators in strategic corridors north of Lima. This operation, spanning multiple locations including the Barranca and Casma regions, and even penetrating the San Judas Tadeo penitentiary in Huacho, underscores the pervasive reach of criminal enterprises that continue to operate with impunity, even from within prison walls.

The meticulous police operation, involving specialized units targeting high-complexity crimes, resulted in the arrest of at least nine individuals allegedly linked to the organization. The group, which originated in Paramonga and established its base in Barranca, had extended its influence across the Norte Chico region. Their modus operandi relied heavily on intimidation, illegal fee collection (cobro de cupos), and the use of firearms and explosives to enforce their demands on transport workers and businesses.

According to Colonel PNP Wilfredo Wyngart Ferruzo, head of the Divipol Barranca, Los Ángeles Verdes preyed on both interprovincial and local transport routes, particularly those connecting Barranca, Huacho, and Lima. The criminal group imposed illegal charges at transport hubs and on vehicles traveling to the capital, generating consistent revenue and solidifying their territorial control through violence and fear. The investigation, led by a specialized anti-criminality unit in Huaura, identified key leaders such as Héctor Salazar Obregón, alias “Viejo,” and Antony Esquivel Vega, alias “Anthony.”

During the extensive operation, law enforcement seized a considerable amount of cash (S/8778.50), mobile phones, SIM cards, a mototaxi, narcotics, firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Crucially, documents deemed vital for the ongoing investigation were also recovered. This successful operation highlights the ongoing challenges Peru faces in combating organized crime and the critical role of law enforcement in disrupting these networks, even when they attempt to operate from correctional facilities.

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la organización extorsionaba a transportistas y comercios, utilizando explosivos y armamento para amedrentar a sus víctimas, principalmente conductores de rutas largas y cortas