Peruvian police bust major criminal network
Gang was concentrated in Piura, was involved in assaults, robbery and fraud
LIMA (AFP) - Authorities in Peru have busted a major gang of police, lawyers and criminals who engaged in killings and extortion, the culmination of eight months intelligence work.
The massive operation began on Friday and targeted the gang headed by "Comandante Mella" -- whose real name is Luis Gerardo Escobar Calderon -- and included at least one senior police officer, seven soldiers, three lawyers and eight other people.
The gang was concentrated in Piura, near the northern border with Ecuador, and was also involved in assaults, robbery and fraud, said the public prosecutor.
Prosecutors in more than 50 different regions in Peru and 1,000 troops were involved in the crackdown on the network.
Investigators seized a large quantity of ammunition, weapons, cell phones, credit cards, drugs, and police badges and uniforms.
Authorities swooped after hours of recorded conversations, wiretapping and monitoring of the network.
"Comandante Mella" and his right-hand man Andy Gustavo Flores Vite were among those arrested.
