The former director of Peru's National Police was among 14 people arrested early Tuesday morning in a series of raids that rounded up alleged members of a baby-trafficking ring.
Authorities have not suggested the role Gen. Raúl Becerra played in the criminal organization but the group is suspected of targeting poor pregnant women and convincing them to sell their newborn infants, the national police said in a statement.
A five-month-old baby girl was rescued from one of 18 properties raided in the southern city of Arequipa on Tuesday morning. Officials targeted a combination of private residences, businesses and clinics.
Police Gen. Walter Ortiz told the Associated Press Becerra's partner, Cinthia Tello, is believed to be the head of the trafficking ring, which authorities are calling "The Soulless Human Traffickers."
#VIDEO | La fiscal Rosmery Mendoza Palomino informa del rescate de una bebé de 5 meses y la detención de 14 personas en un operativo dirigido en #Arequipa por el Ministerio Público, que permitió la desarticulación de una #OrganizaciónCriminal dedicada a la venta de menores. pic.twitter.com/wkv787cFLf
— Ministerio Público (@FiscaliaPeru) November 6, 2018
The 32-year-old woman, who is also known as Caroline Preciado, is a well-known model and events producer in Peru, El Comercio reported.
The local newspaper said the child was found in one of Preciado's homes and that she had paid the baby's mother 4,000 sols — nearly $1,200 — for the infant.
The child's parents are among those arrested. A gynecologist and a pediatrician were also picked up in the sweep and are in custody, as well as a handful of women who acted as recruiters for pregnant women.
Prosecutor Rosmery Mendoza Palomino said in a Twitter video that the investigation into the group's criminal activities began in May. She called the operation a "100 percent success," adding that the 14 now in custody make up the entire gang.
"Police are still investigating whether the children were sold to foreign couples looking to adopt or to organ trafficking gangs," the BBC reported.
Becerra, 61, led the national police force from 2010 to 2011, when he retired after being accused of sexually harassing a subordinate, according to Al Jazeera.
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