Suspected Los Pulpos associate captured with arsenal, drugs on Piura border with Ecuador

Authorities in Peru's northern Piura region have arrested a 27-year-old man suspected of ties to the criminal organization Los Pulpos. The suspect, identified as José Andrés R. C., allegedly facilitated the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition between Peru and Ecuador.

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The intervention occurred on Sunday night in the border area of the district of Suyo, province of Ayabaca.

During a Sunday night operation in the border district of Suyo, police seized four firearms, six pineapple-type grenades, 1,750 rounds of ammunition, and nine kilograms of cocaine. Police General Daniel Jares stated that the arrested individual operated on routes connecting Lima, Trujillo, Piura, and Ecuador. His alleged role involved smuggling weapons used in various crimes out of Peru for international sale and importing firearms from Ecuador.

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One of his main functions would be to take weapons used in various crimes out of the country to sell them abroad, as well as to bring weapons from Ecuadorian territory.

Investigators are examining a potential link between the seized weapons and those used in the recent murder of four individuals in Sullana. This arrest is part of broader anti-crime efforts in the region. Over the past weekend, Piura police conducted multiple operations in Sullana and Piura provinces, leading to the detention of over 20 foreign and Peruvian nationals. These operations targeted suspected members of criminal groups like Los Goteros de Sullana, Los Gota a Gota de Monteverde, and Los Coyoteros del Norte, with various weapons, explosives, drugs, and items related to informal lending seized.

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Police are also investigating whether the weapons used in the murder of four people in Sullana are related to the weapons handled by the intervened individual.