Three Foreign Nationals Detained for Extorting Peruvian Bus Drivers

Peru's Judiciary has ordered 12 months of pre-trial detention for three foreign nationals suspected of extorting drivers from the Translima transport company in the San Martín de Porres district. The individuals, identified by the initials L. R. (40), R. M. (25), and J. S. (24), are also facing charges related to illegal possession of firearms, explosives, and criminal association.

The investigation began following a police report filed on July 19, 2026, by the aggrieved party. According to the report, the Translima drivers were allegedly being extorted by a criminal group known as "Los Conquistadores Reales." The group demanded a daily payment of S/75 from each driver to permit their operation along Avenida Bertello. One complainant stated that while on his route, two individuals on a motorcycle pursued and intercepted him, displaying firearms and pressuring him and his colleagues to comply with the demanded payments.

Following the complaint, the National Police (PNP) conducted operations and located what they believe to be the gang's operational base in the Las Casuarinas urbanization. During a raid, officers found a loaded revolver, a phone used for extortion calls, explosive devices, and other items of interest. The three suspects were apprehended at the location and taken into police custody. The prosecution presented several pieces of evidence for the pre-trial detention request, including intervention reports, statements from protected witnesses, analysis of seized phones, and forensic ballistics and gunshot residue tests.