More than 1,000 officers simultaneously raided over 120 homes in 15 districts of the metropolitan region of Chile and seized weapons, money, and drugs. The most significant find occurred in a midtown area of the country's capital, Lima, called Nuevo Amanecer, where an estimated 14,000 people live in vulnerable conditions, mostly foreigners from countries such as Haiti, Venezuela, and Peru.
The gang took advantage of the authorities' lack of control over this settlement to stockpile and distribute drugs brought from other parts of the country. The business was operated by "Los Trinitarios," an international organization born in the United States and composed mostly of citizens from the Dominican Republic. The gang has a closed, hierarchical system, strict honor codes, and loyalty oaths.
The group had opened various shops to pursue their drug and money laundering business and protected them with weapons.
During the raids, officers found items associated with black magic, such as crosses, symbols on the walls, altars, and dolls pierced with knives, according to Metropolitan Prosecutor Marcos Pastén.
The Peruvian outlet Emol reported that some of the altars were made of jars of blood and sacrificed animals. Former prosecutor Jose Antonio Villalobos told the media that various criminal groups use black magic, believing that this would help them harm their enemies and protect themselves.
During the police operation, officers seized 13 vehicles, around 35 million Chilean pesos (more than US$36,000), some euros and cryptocurrencies, around 30 kilos of drugs, and 73 properties. Additionally, 10 other people not related to the criminal group were arrested.
"We are working firmly to dismantle the gangs that terrorize people and to confront impunity,” said the Presidential Delegate for the Metropolitan Region, Constanza Martínez.
