Peruvian National Police officers face fraud and extortion allegations

Two separate cases of alleged misconduct involving members of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) have emerged.

In Aguaytía, Ucayali, a merchant named Roxana Palomino Rodríguez has filed a complaint with the PNP Inspectorate against officer Junior Lewis Sánchez Sánchez. Palomino Rodríguez alleges that Sánchez Sánchez defrauded her of thousands of soles intended to fund his entry into the police academy. Despite a judicial ruling in April ordering the officer to repay approximately S/15,000 through monthly payroll deductions, the complainant states he has refused to comply with the court mandate.

In a separate incident, the judiciary has ordered nine months of preventive detention for PNP sub-officer Carlos Handerzon Zárate Bayona, known as “Zeta”. Zárate Bayona is accused of extortion involving a locksmith. Prosecutors allege that after the merchant was targeted by extortionists and suffered an explosive attack at his home, Zárate Bayona posed as an intermediary who could negotiate with the criminals. The officer reportedly collected S/3,000 from the victim over three visits. Authorities seized various items during the investigation, including cell phones, laptops, and a firearm.