Alleged leadership of 'Los Mexicanos' arrested, gang that extorted transport companies in Lima
The PNP arrested several key members of the criminal gang 'Los Mexicanos' in an early morning operation. The group extorted transport companies and operated in Lima North, South and East.
Early morning operation: PNP captures leaders of extortion gang
The National Police of Peru (PNP) arrested several high-ranking members of the criminal gang 'Los Mexicanos' in the early hours of Thursday 26 March, a group dedicated to extorting transport companies in Lima. According to elcomercio.pe, the operation was triggered following a report filed by affected transporters.
Colonel PNP Holger Obando explained to the media that the investigation began two weeks prior with the detention of Jesús Ángel Soplín, who had a criminal record and on whose mobile phone communications linked to the gang were found. "The background to the intervention began two weeks ago with the detention of Jesús Ángel Soplín, who has a criminal record, and information was found on his mobile phone related to crimes linked to the gang 'Los Mexicanos'. As a result of this initial intervention, special investigative activities were generated," Obando stated.
During the operation, firearms and drugs were seized. Obando also revealed that in intercepted messages, one of the leaders of 'Los Mexicanos' asked another whether he wanted to "pull the trigger", which demonstrates the group's willingness to use violence.
The gang operated through WhatsApp groups to send extortion messages, also using doxing — the disclosure of reserved personal information — to pressure their victims. "To the extent that the criminal mentality of these individuals outside the law reaches, they take advantage of certain weaknesses in some systems for providing reserved and personal information," the colonel stated.
Authorities indicated that 'Los Mexicanos' had expanded its range of operations: they no longer operated only in Lima North and Lima South, but had begun to act in Lima East. One day before the operation, members of the gang shot at a minibus with passengers on board in the district of Ate.
Source: Google News PE — Lima