
In an operation carried out last night, on January 4, in Trujilloagents of National Police of Peru (PNP) they arrested Thalía Rosmeri Neira Beltránaccused of carrying out kidnappings organized by the notorious criminal gang Los Pulpos, active in the La Libertad region. The intervention was carried out by Special Brigade Against National and Foreign Crime, led by Colonel Victor Revoredo.
The arrest took place inside the bar Sea Tobacco, located in the center of Trujillo. During the personal search, the authorities found in his possession a cell phone and a chip which according to the system of the Supervisory Body of Private Investments in Telecommunications (Osiptel) belonged to stolen equipment.
It should be noted that with the capture of Thalía Neira, the PNP would have prevented his murder. Police officers explained to the news agency Andes than a rival criminal group to Octopuses had decided to kill Thalía Neira as part of a territorial dispute. After the arrest, she was transferred to the Alcides Vigo police complex, where investigations will continue under the supervision of the Public Ministry.

According to the Police, Neira Beltrán stated that she had been held in El Milagro de Trujillo prison for the kidnapping of Alan Ríos Guevara, the son of former El Porvenir district councilor Sandra Guevara Villalobos, which occurred in November 2021. He claimed that he was in compliance with the rules of conduct established by the legal body.
Likewise, Neira would guard a romantic relationship with Jerson David Asto Carranzaalias “Cubo”, currently an intern at El Milagro and a key member of Los Pulpos. Authorities say that, together with her, he planned several kidnappings of businessmen in the La Libertad region.

During the 2024 year-end celebrations, a new investigation was opened against the organization octopusas its logo appeared at at least two Christmas events held at different locations in Trujillo. In one of them, a fireworks display in the El Porvenir neighborhood showed his badge, while a chocolate It was financed by the members of the group.
Intelligence images captured during these celebrations revealed this Children and minors received toys, bicycles and groceries donated by the organization. A children’s show was even organized in the area of Cruz Blanca, considered the stronghold of the group led by Jhonsson Smith Cruz Torres, alias “Jhonsson Pulpo”.
The police suspect that these activities are part of one strategies to gain community support and consolidate its presence in key areas of the city. According to PNPthese types of actions are common in criminal organizations that try to establish territorial control through methods that combine intimidation and “favors”.

At the head of this organization is Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, known as “Johnson Pulpo”who leads Los Pulpos de Cruz Blanca from hiding. At 28, he is one of Peru’s most wanted criminals and faces a sentence life sentence for the murder of a merchant in 2020.
The Interior Ministry’s Commission for the Evaluation of Anti-Crime Rewards included Cruz Torres on its list of most wanted criminals on August 5, 2022. His criminal history stretches numerous murders, extortions and kidnappingsamong them those of Santos Guillermo Sánchez Vera, Emilio Julca Huamán, Kristell Cotrina Cruz and Robert Quezada Crisolucion.
Despite being a fugitive, “Jhonsson Pulpo” maintains control of Los Pulposwhich operate mainly in Trujillo and surrounding areas. According to the Police, his organization uses terrorist tactics combined with ostensibly charitable activities to consolidate its influence in vulnerable areas such as Cruz Blanca.