# Capture and extradition of Los Pulpos leader

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/capture-and-extradition-of-los-pulpos-leader
> Updated: 2026-09-09T15:20:38.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 3.

Jhonsson Smith Cruz Torres, known as ‘Jhonsson Pulpo’, the leader of the Peruvian criminal organization ‘Los Pulpos’, was captured in La Paz, Bolivia, following a coordinated operation involving the Peruvian National Police, Bolivian Police, the FBI, and the DEA. Cruz Torres, who reportedly used plastic surgery and false identities to evade capture, faces charges including homicide, kidnapping, and extortion.

Following his arrest, Cruz Torres was expelled from Bolivia and transported to Lima via a Peruvian Air Force aircraft. He is currently held at the Dircote headquarters in Lima for a 15-day preliminary detention period. He is being investigated for several serious crimes, including the recent kidnapping and quadruple murder of businessman Jenss Lara Tantaquilla in Trujillo.

New testimony from an accomplice and former bodyguard, Gabriel Alexander Mendocilla Gómez, alleges that Cruz Torres directed criminal operations from La Paz. Mendocilla claimed that Cruz Torres monitored the outcome of the attack on Jenss Marty Lara Tantaquilla and was primarily concerned with securing the ransom payment. In Trujillo, police discovered a residence in the San Isidro urbanisation containing a modified underground room used to hold the businessman captive.

Prosecutor William Rabanal Palacios described Cruz Torres as a ‘born criminal’ who orchestrated the most violent crimes in Trujillo. While the arrest is a significant blow to ‘Los Pulpos’, Rabanal warned that the group is already attempting to restructure itself following the leader's capture.

## Claims

- Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, alias ‘Jhonsson Pulpo’, is the leader of the criminal organization ‘Los Pulpos’. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Cruz Torres was captured in La Paz, Bolivia. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Cruz Torres has a life sentence for a 2020 robbery-murder in Trujillo. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Cruz Torres will remain in preliminary detention at Dircote for 15 days. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Alexander Saúl Mendocilla Gómez was also captured in Bolivia and is in custody. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Cruz Torres is being investigated for the kidnapping and quadruple murder of businessman Jenss Lara. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Peruvian authorities offered a reward of 500,000 soles for his capture. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Keysi Alessandra Salvatierra Vigo is currently imprisoned in Trujillo's El Milagro prison. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Jhonsson Pulpo allegedly directed Trujillo massacre from Bolivia

The arrest of criminal leader ‘Jhonsson Pulpo’ in Bolivia reveals he directed a violent kidnapping and massacre in Trujillo, Peru, from abroad, according to an accomplice's testimony.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jhonsson-pulpo-allegedly-directed-trujillo-massacre-from-bolivia

### 2026-09-03: Jhonsson Pulpo, leader of Los Pulpos, captured in Bolivia and transferred to Lima

Criminal leader Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, head of ‘Los Pulpos’, has been extradited from Bolivia to Lima. He faces investigation for kidnapping and murder while serving a life sentence.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-leader-jhonsson-cruz-torres-arrives-in-lima-after-expulsion-from-bolivia

### 2026-09-01: Jhonsson Pulpo captured in Bolivia and extradited to Peru

Peruvian criminal leader Jhonsson Smith Cruz Torres, alias ‘Jhonsson Pulpo’, was captured in La Paz, Bolivia, in a joint operation with the FBI and DEA, then extradited to Peru to face life imprisonment.

32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jhon-pulpo-leader-of-peruvian-criminal-group-arrested-in-bolivia

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Cite as: Capture and extradition of Los Pulpos leader. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/capture-and-extradition-of-los-pulpos-leader