Jhonsson Cruz Torres, known as ‘Jhonsson Pulpo’, was captured in Bolivia after years of evading law enforcement, exposing a sprawling three-generation criminal enterprise originating in Trujillo, Peru.
The Patriarch and the Origins in Trujillo
The criminal history of the Cruz family dates back decades, with historical research by Jorge Nureña indicating that the first appearances of Los Pulpos occurred between 1996 and 1997, followed by initial press reports of their crimes in 1998. Teófilo Cruz Álvarez, identified as the family patriarch, died in 2020 during the pandemic while he was held in El Milagro prison during an ongoing judicial process regarding criminal organization charges.
Following Teófilo, his son John Cruz Arce emerged as a prominent figure within the lineage. According to Cruz Arce’s own statements, his alias ‘John Pulpo’ originated during his school years when pre-military instructors applied the nickname to him and his brother. John Cruz Arce’s criminal record began during his adolescence when he entered El Milagro prison for aggravated robbery in March 1992, serving a brief four-day stay as a minor.
Subsequent convictions followed for John Cruz Arce, including a 1994 arrest for severe injuries and a subsequent three-year effective sentence. After completing terms for aggravated robbery and later a 2005 qualified homicide conviction, his legal history accumulated into a 25-year prison sentence for a crime committed against his domestic partner and another person. Reflecting on his incarceration history across the country, John Cruz Arce stated, “I have gone to see Trujillo, Chiclayo, Cajamarca, Challapalca, Juliaca, six prisons I have gone to see.”
The Third Generation and Violent Expansion
While John Cruz Arce remained imprisoned, the organization’s leadership shifted to the third generation. According to investigators, Jhonsson Cruz Torres assumed control of Los Pulpos when he was just 17 years old. Under his command, the group moved beyond traditional extortion of local merchants, transport operators, and restaurants to engage in large-scale kidnappings, contract killings, and financial demands reaching up to 500,000 soles.
Evidence gathered by investigators revealed audio threats featuring statements such as, “We are dedicated to extortion, to collecting quotas. 20 thousand soles costs the tranquility of you, your family, and your business.” Victims who failed to meet these demands faced extreme physical violence, including beatings and amputations. One survivor recounted the severity of the pressure, stating, “How much it already ended, if they wanted to cut my ankles, I begged them more.”
Did You Know? The moniker ‘John Pulpo’ did not originate from street-level criminal activity or inside a prison, but was instead given to John Cruz Arce by his pre-military school instructors while he was still a student.
International Reach and Illegal Mining
As the organization grew, investigators identified connections and operational presence in Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. Historian Jorge Nureña noted that Los Pulpos diversified their operations internationally to maximize profitability across borders. Beginning around 2016, 2017, and 2018, the group also expanded into illegal mining, initially offering protection services before turning those figures into targets of extortion.
Leadership within the network was distributed across various family factions. In Chiclayo, authorities captured Andy Quispe Cruz, a cousin of Jhonsson Cruz Torres who held an Interpol red notice and was identified as one of the four main faction leaders. When questioned by police regarding kidnappings and mutilations, Andy Quispe Cruz denied involvement, stating, “I have nothing to do with it.” Concurrently, violent incidents continued in Trujillo, including the kidnapping of a miner’s son and the killing of four accompanying individuals in a truck attack, prompting Nureña to describe Los Pulpos as functioning “like a kind of hydra” capable of sustaining operations despite leadership losses.
The arrest of a primary leader does not automatically dismantle highly decentralized criminal networks. Because Los Pulpos operate through multiple independent factions across international borders, law enforcement agencies face the ongoing challenge of neutralizing decentralized command structures rather than relying solely on the capture of a single figurehead.
Elusion Tactics and Final Capture in Bolivia
Jhonsson Cruz Torres avoided capture for years through extensive evasion tactics, which included obtaining a fraudulent death certificate in November 2020 that officially declared him deceased. Investigators reported that he altered his hair, facial features, and underwent aesthetic procedures to change his appearance while continuing to direct operations from hiding. Although an intelligence operation on January 26 narrowly missed his apprehension when security cameras captured his departure, Bolivian authorities ultimately located and detained him alongside an alleged accomplice.
Bolivian law enforcement classified him as a high-value regional target and transferred him into the custody of the Peruvian National Police. Despite the removal of Jhonsson Cruz Torres from active command, investigators emphasize that the overarching threat remains active due to remaining operational factions and alternative leaders distributed throughout the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was considered the initial patriarch of Los Pulpos?
Teófilo Cruz Álvarez was identified as the family patriarch. He died in 2020 from the pandemic while detained at El Milagro prison during an ongoing investigation into criminal organization charges.
How did Jhonsson Cruz Torres evade authorities for an extended period?
According to investigators, he utilized a fraudulent death certificate issued in November 2020 to appear dead, altered his appearance through physical modifications and alleged aesthetic procedures, and maintained operations from clandestine locations abroad before his capture in Bolivia.
What illegal activities did the organization engage in under its various leaders?
The group evolved from early robberies and local business quotas into extortion, kidnappings accompanied by mutilation, contract killings, and involvement in illegal mining operations across Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.
What measures do you believe are most effective for dismantling decentralized international criminal networks like Los Pulpos?