‘Jhonsson Pulpo’ arrives in Lima as minister links him to Trujillo case

Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, alias Jhonsson Pulpo, arrived in Lima aboard a Peruvian Air Force Hercules aircraft after authorities captured him in La Paz, Bolivia. The aircraft landed at about 6 p.m. at Callao’s No. 8 Air Group, after Cruz Torres was handed over to Peruvian authorities at the Desaguadero border.

The alleged leader of the Los Pulpos criminal organization traveled with Gabriel Alexander Saúl Mendocilla Gómez, who was also arrested in the joint operation by Peruvian and Bolivian police. Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and Interior Minister César Astudillo attended the arrival.

Astudillo said authorities have evidence linking Cruz Torres to the kidnapping of businessman Jenss Lara and the killing of Lara’s four companions in Húsares de Junín, Trujillo. Both detainees will be taken to the National Police’s anti-drug directorate, Dirandro, on Aramburú Avenue in Lima’s San Isidro district for the first proceedings in the cases against them.

Cruz Torres already faces a life sentence for an armed robbery in March 2020 that ended in the death of a merchant in Trujillo. Peru’s Interior Ministry said the Third Supraprovincial Collegiate Criminal Court found him responsible for aggravated robbery resulting in death. The court determined that he took part in stealing the victim’s belongings and that the woman died as a direct consequence of the assault.

He is also being prosecuted for aggravated murder, contract killing, organized crime and aggravated kidnapping, among other offenses.