At least 13 detainees in the mega-operation of the prosecutor’s office in the case of “Los Cuellos Blancos del Puerto”

The Cuellos Blancos del Puerto Special Forces carried out a simultaneous mega operation this morning to seize property, during which they preliminarily arrested textile businessman Mario Mendoza Diaz, accused of being one of key people alleged criminal organization that will have a sectoral network.

Mendoza Diaz and his wife, Carmen Maria Serrano Gandulia, were detained at their home, located in the San Borja district of Lima. During the operation, they also arrested Luis Alfonso Lopez Rios in his house, located in Surko.

Still law enforcement achieved the arrest of thirteen people under investigation, in addition to a search 21 housesconfiscation of five expensive cars and confiscation of two properties.

The case is under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney. Velasco Hidalgo JeansSpecialized corporate supra-provincial prosecutor’s office to combat organized crime. The public ministry is expected to provide more details on the mega operation in the next few hours.

This is not the first time Mario Mendoza Rios has been arrested in this case. In July 2018, he was provisionally detained by the National Police during an operation that also captured lawyers, officials and civil servants from the judicial districts of Lima and Callao.

At that time, the following were arrested: Antonio Camayo, Nelson Reinaldo Aparicio Beisaga, Juan Antonio Egues Beltran, Jose Luis Cavassa Roncalla, Veronica Esther Rojas Aguirre, Jacinto Cesar Salinas Bedon, Victor Maximiliano Leon Montenegro, John Robert Mischa Mansilla, Carlos Antonio Parra Pineda. and Gianfranco Martin Walls Sanchez.

The tax hypothesis is that they would integrate criminal organization dedicated to influence peddling, the corruption of officials in Callao and whose strong man was former President of the Callao Court Walter Rios.

Nation’s Attorney Questions JNJ Investigation

This mega operation comes one day after National Attorney Patricia Benavidez questioned the investigation against her, which opened National Council of Justice (JNJ) for alleged violations in the composition of the members of the special panel in the Cuellos Blancos del Puerto case.

Upon learning of the decision of the JNJ, the head of the public ministry called this action illegal and arbitrary, since, from her point of view, the special group of prosecutors was strengthened.

“I have just learned that, as a result of an illegal and arbitrary act, the National Council of Justice took steps to initiate a preliminary investigation against me for alleged misconduct, such as changes in the composition of a special white-collar team would be subject to allegedly having a telephone connection with me,” said he is addressing the public.

Benavidez He also mentioned that the decision of the National Council of Justice will be a response to the attacks, which, as he assured, he was subjected to for “investigating political power.”

After being defended by the national prosecutor, the National Council of Justice confirmed that the investigations were fully consistent with its powers and responsibilities.

“We express our concern with the statements and assessments made by Dr. Benavidez. Peru defines itself as a constitutional and democratic state. It follows that the exercise of public authority by any official, without exception, is subject to restrictions and duties as established by the Constitution and laws,” the JNJ said in a statement.

JNJ explained that the purpose of the preliminary investigation is to determine the degree of probability or plausibility of the existence of a disciplinary offense, which makes it possible to establish whether there are grounds for initiating the relevant proceedings.