In a coordinated and surprising action, the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE), in collaboration with the National Police of Peru (PNP), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) and the Public Ministrycarried out a security operation in the maximum security prison in Challapalca. The operation aimed to dismantle illegal structures that allowed inmates to maintain communications with external criminal networks.
The operation began with a surprise search in the cells of the leaders of the criminal gangs, followed by a simultaneous review of the three pavilions of the establishment, in search of illicit objects and external communication methods. Using spectrum analyzers, the MTC located two clandestine antennas on the Tarata-Puno road, in the immediate vicinity of the prison. These devices, installed in two properties in the area, were used by inmates to connect to the Internet and coordinate criminal activities. The authorities, in coordination with the PNP and the Public Ministry, dismantled both antennas and transferred the devices to the Ticaco police station to continue investigations.
“The antennas were used to coordinate illegal activities outside the prison, which reflects the need to strengthen security in these establishments”said the Deputy Minister of Justice, Juan Alcántara.
At the same time, the INPE led an exhaustive operational within the prison, subjecting the entire penitentiary population to review, including the inmates considered more dangerous. During the intervention, the cells of renowned criminal leaders were raided, among them:
- Héctor Prieto Materano, aka “Mammut” (member of the Train of Aragua)
- José Angulo Casas, aka “Café” (former King neighborhood)
- Edwin Anthony Penedo Gómez, aka “Cuy face”
- Luis Antonio Peralta Carpio, involved in an attack on INPE personnel
- Lucio Moreno, aka “Pirata”, former leader of an extorting band in Puente Piedra
In addition, various objects linked to illegal activities were seized. In one of the cells seven wrappers were found with a total of 112 cigarettes hidden in a silo, and also seized an electronic plaque and an adapter, which are part of the ongoing investigations.
Javier Llaque Moya, head of the INPE, stressed that “These operations are fundamental to maintain the principle of authority and ensure that penalties do not become centers of operations for organized crimes” For its part, Alcántara stressed that the intervention seeks to strengthen the control of penitentiary establishments nationwide, preventing them from being used as platforms to coordinate illegal activities.
