Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, a reputed gang leader from Peru suspected in 23 killings in his home country, was arrested in New York by U.S. immigration authorities. The leader of “Los Killers” was apprehended in Endicott, New York, and is currently being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo pending an immigration hearing. Torres-Navarro, 38, entered the U.S. illegally at the Texas-Mexico border on May 16 and was arrested the same day. U.S. authorities decided to act on his arrest after receiving information on July 8 that he was wanted in Peru.
Along with Torres-Navarro, his girlfriend Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, described as his right hand by Peruvian authorities, was also arrested by immigration agents. She is currently being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania. The online immigration detention records for both Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús did not include information on lawyers who could speak on their behalf. Peru’s justice system confirmed that it had ordered the location and international capture of Torres-Navarro and his partner on July 3.
Peruvian authorities, led by Col. Franco Moreno, head of Peru’s High Complexity Crime Investigations Division, tracked phone calls, geolocations, and messages from Torres-Navarro and his gang of at least 10 members. According to Moreno, the gang leader is responsible for 23 murders, including the deaths of other gang leaders and their families. The criminal organization known as “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” has used violence to protect its core business of extorting construction companies in Peru. Torres-Navarro’s alleged crimes include the killing of a retired police officer and a municipal employee. Six other members of “Los Killers” were arrested in June on charges of homicide, contract killing, and extortion.
Torres-Navarro, also known as “Gianfranco 23,” had eluded previous attempts to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes. In 2019, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for illegal weapons possession but remained at large until 2021 when he was arrested and later acquitted. After his release in December, the gang increased its violent activities, leading to the shooting in San Miguel. His girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, played a significant role in the criminal organization, serving as Torres-Navarro’s romantic partner, lieutenant, and cashier. She has a large social media presence on TikTok, where she showcases their lavish lifestyle, including designer clothes, resort vacations, and shots at a gun range.
The arrest of Gianfranco Torres-Navarro and his girlfriend marks a significant milestone in the fight against organized crime in Peru and highlights the international cooperation between U.S. immigration authorities and Peruvian law enforcement. The capture of the reputed gang leader, wanted in Peru for multiple murders, showcases the dedication of law enforcement agencies to apprehend dangerous criminals who pose a threat to communities. The history of Torres-Navarro’s criminal activities and his ability to evade justice for years underscore the challenges faced in addressing transnational criminal organizations operating across borders. The ongoing investigation into “Los Killers” and the arrest of its key members will likely have a lasting impact on enhancing security and combating organized crime in Peru and beyond.
