Reputed Peruvian gang leader Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, linked to 23 killings, was arrested in Endicott, New York, by ICE after entering the U.S. illegally and fleeing his home country.

Torres-Navarro, 38, and leader of the notorious gang 'Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao,' entered the U.S. illegally in May and was apprehended after ICE received information on his criminal background. He is currently held in federal detention near Buffalo, pending further immigration proceedings. This arrest marks a significant effort by U.S. authorities to mitigate the potential threats posed by international fugitives residing within its borders.

Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, also known as 'Gianfranco 23' for the number of murders he is alleged to have committed, entered the United States on May 16 by crossing the Texas-Mexico border illegally. Shortly after, he was apprehended and given a notice to appear for immigration proceedings.

On July 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) received information identifying Torres-Navarro as a wanted man in Peru, wanted for 23 killings. Within hours of receiving this information, ICE agents arrested Torres-Navarro in Endicott, New York, and he has since been held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo. He is pending an immigration hearing that could determine his extradition back to Peru.

In Peru, Torres-Navarro is accused of leading 'Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao,' a gang infamous for its involvement in numerous violent crimes, including murder and extortion. Peruvian authorities have long been pursuing Torres-Navarro, mainly due to his suspected role in the March killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera who was murdered in a restaurant in San Miguel.

Before heading 'Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao,' Torres-Navarro was a member of another notorious criminal organization known as 'Los Malditos de Angamos'. The shift in alliances highlights his deep-rooted connections within Peru's criminal underworld.

Thomas Brophy, director of enforcement removal operations for ICE’s Buffalo field office, emphasized the significant threat Torres-Navarro posed to communities both in the U.S. and abroad. His arrest, according to Brophy, signifies a critical step in mitigating the danger posed by international criminal figures who find their way into the United States.

In a significant parallel development, Torres-Navarro's girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, was also detained following his arrest. Ortíz Ubillús, who is considered Torres-Navarro’s lieutenant and cashier by Peruvian authorities, is being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania.

Ortíz Ubillús garnered attention on social media platforms such as TikTok, where she flaunted a lavish lifestyle, which authorities believe was funded through the gang’s criminal activities. Her arrest further dismantles the operational capacity of Torres-Navarro’s gang.

The apprehensions of Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús are part of a broader effort by Peruvian authorities to crack down on criminal organizations. In June, six reputed members of 'Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao' were arrested and charged with various crimes including homicide, contract killings, and extortion.

The case of Torres-Navarro is expected to draw considerable attention during immigration proceedings. U.S. authorities are working closely with their Peruvian counterparts to coordinate the potential extradition of the gang leader, ensuring he faces justice for his alleged crimes. This collaboration underscores the ongoing international efforts to combat organized crime and ensure that fugitives cannot evade capture by crossing borders.

As the proceedings continue, the law enforcement agencies involved remain vigilant, ensuring the due process is followed and justice is served both in the United States and in Peru. The arrest of Gianfranco Torres-Navarro represents a critical victory in the fight against transnational criminal networks.