Man linked to La Federación criminal gang arrested over extortion in Lima
The National Police of Peru detained Luis Anthony Chile Anguamán, a member of the criminal gang La Federación, accused of extorting construction companies and transport operators in Lima.
Sixth arrest for La Federación member implicated in extortion in Lima
A National Police of Peru (PNP) operation resulted in the arrest of Luis Anthony Chile Anguamán, identified as a key member of the criminal organisation La Federación, according to infobae.com. The group is accused of systematically extorting construction projects and transport companies in the Cercado de Lima and San Martín de Porres districts.
The arrest was confirmed by the general commander of the PNP, Óscar Arriola, who stated that the operation aimed to dismantle a structure whose leaders continue directing illicit activities from inside Challapalca prison.
Weapons, mobile phones and motorcycles seized
During the operation, officers recovered six mobile phones—three of which were reported stolen—a 9 mm Parabellum pistol and three motorcycles used in the commission of crimes. In addition, five other people were arrested whose situation remains under investigation.
Ballistic analysis currently underway aims to establish a ballistic link between the seized weapon and spent cartridges found at an attack on Avenida Argentina, where five people were injured by gunshot. This was clarified by commander Arriola in statements to TVPerú Noticias.
Messages with explicit death threats
Police found messages on Chile Anguamán's electronic devices containing extortive threats directed at construction projects and transport companies. One of them reads: "All construction sites and minibuses in the transport sector of Cercado de Lima are going to pay protection money to Chato Pirata de la Ribera, if not, they die. Yours truly, La Federación".
The individual identified as "Chato Pirata de la Ribera" is identified by police as the alleged local leader of the organisation.
Criminal history from age 16
Chile Anguamán has an extensive criminal record. He was arrested for the first time in 2018, at age 16, for armed robbery. His status as a minor facilitated his release from the process at that time.
On 14 August 2024 he was arrested again, along with five others, for armed robbery by a gang, and preventive detention was ordered. However, he was released in January of this year due to excessive time in custody, less than 16 months after his arrest. Shortly after his release, he became implicated in a gun attack that left a woman injured and resulted in a robbery.
The current arrest is the sixth recorded against this individual. The charges include aggravated robbery, assault, illegal possession of weapons and membership of a criminal gang.
General commander Arriola openly questioned why Chile Anguamán remained free: "He is a criminal with a record who understands nothing but crime. We cannot explain why he is at liberty".
La Federación operates from prisons
The organisation, previously known as "los Dinámicos", maintains an extortion scheme centred on the civil construction and transport sectors in Cercado de Lima and San Martín de Porres. The modus operandi consists of demanding "protection fees" from businesspeople and workers under explicit death threats, backed by the use of firearms and acts of direct violence.
According to commander Arriola, the command structure has direct links with inmates in Challapalca prison, in the Andean region: "Most of them, such as Chato Rivera, are in Challapalca, serving sentences for extortion and contract killing". The gang coordinates its operations through communications sent from the prison to active members in Lima.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of vehicles and equipment allegedly used in the extortions, as well as the collection of visual and testimonial documentation of the gang's violent activities.
Investigation ongoing
Authorities stated that intelligence operations were crucial in identifying and locating Chile Anguamán and his immediate circle. Investigators are processing the detainees for aggravated robbery, illegal possession of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation, in addition to the crimes evidenced in the seized electronic devices.
The investigation continues to determine individual responsibility of those involved and the coordination links with the gang leaders imprisoned in Challapalca.
Source: Google News PE — Lima