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Peru Raids 68 Prisons in Nationwide Sweep, Exposing Limits of Crackdowns

Experts warn one-off raids cannot curb prison extortion absent sustained intelligence.

Overview

  • INPE and its Special Operations Group carried out simultaneous searches in 68 prisons with roughly 1,000 officers deployed.
  • The national sweep yielded 14 mobile phones, three repeater routers and 358 small drug packets, highlighting the modest interdiction results.
  • A surprise entry into Sarita Colonia’s pavilion 6 uncovered drugs, improvised weapons, a handcuff key, cash and multiple hidden contraband caches.
  • An intelligence-led inspection in the Piura prison found marijuana, cocaine paste and several phones concealed in bathroom ducts, with two inmates admitting responsibility and placed in isolation.
  • At Huaraz, security staff blocked drugs hidden in double-bottom paint cans and alerted prosecutors and anti-drug police, as analysts argue sustained tech-enabled intelligence and judicial capacity are needed to disrupt prison-based crime.