WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. An alleged narco torture ‘mastermind’ who is accused of orchestrating the horrific torture and murder of three women has been caught by police after fleeing Argentina
A “drug lord” accused of masterminding the horrific torture and murder of three women on a livestream has been named after police tracked down the fleeing suspect.
Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, 20, also known as “Little J”, was hauled out of a lorry in his native country of Peru after fleeing Argentina[1], where he allegedly ordered the murders of Lara Gutierrez, 15, and her 20-year-old cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda Del Castillo.
The victims’ unthinkable ordeal was livestreamed to a private social media group of 45 people, according to police, before the drug traffickers killed the women and buried their bodies in plastic bags.
Lara, Morena, and Brenda went missing last month after they were lured into a house in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. They were promised a £220 payment for taking part in a “sex party,” authorities say.
Haunting footage shows the women being tricked into getting into a van, showing their last known movements before being tortured and killed.
The victims’ dismembered remains were discovered five days later, buried in the back garden of a home around 16 miles away, police say.
Their dismembered remains were found on Wednesday buried in the backyard of a home about 16 miles from the Argentinian capital. Cops had managed to track their phones and made the harrowing find.
Authorities believe the women were murdered as punishment and revenge, after one of the victims stole a package of cocaine from one of the cartel members, the alleged leader of a criminal group.
The youngest victim, Lara, is said to have had all five fingers on her left hand amputated before she was killed. Police found that Brenda’s skull had been fractured and her stomach had been cut open after her death.
The third woman, Morena, is understood to have been asphyxiated with a plastic bag found pulled over her head.
Police say the women were found in a run-down ‘house of horrors’ in Florencio Varela and they believe around 45 people watched the brutal murders on an Instagram[2] livestream.
Javier Alonso, security minister of Buenos Aires, said that during the livestream, a voice could be heard saying “this is what happens to those who steal drugs from me”.
The minister initially said that the video had been streamed on Instagram, but he later told a local TV channel that “apparently it was on another platform”.
A spokesperson for Meta said it had not found any evidence that the murders had been hosted on Instagram, adding: “Our team continues to cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate this horrific crime.”
Alleged narco torture mastermind Valverde was caught hiding in a lorry in Peru, with police-released footage showing the moment cops asking him to tell them his name and nationality.
After managing to get across the border in a smuggled truck, Argentina’s most wanted man was caught up in a road blockage arranged by protesting local fishermen. A chilling photo shows the suspect appearing to smirk as police cuffed his hands behind his back.
Just hours before his arrest, another suspect, Matias Agustin Ozorio – described as ‘Little J’s’ alleged right-hand man – Matias Agustin Ozorio, was arrested in Lima. Two women have also been arrested as part of the investigation.
In response to the arrests, Patricia Bullrich, Argentina’s Minister of National Security, said: “I want to congratulate Peru’s National Police for the great work they’ve done and their co-operation in the capture of the two fugitives for the triple murders.
“Anti-drugs officers held ‘Little J’ in Pucusana, showing that when working decisively and in coordination, criminals have nowhere to hide”. She finished her social media statement by warning: “You reap what you sow.”
Buenos Aires’ Security Minister Javier Alonso confirmed: “The entire murder and torture session was broadcast live on social media and was apparently viewed by 45 people who follow that Instagram account.”
A spokesman for Peru’s national police also said: “In a swift and simultaneous operation, agents from the anti-drug directorate, in coordination with Interpol Argentina, arrested alias Little J and Matias Agustin Ozorio, both fugitives from Argentina with red notices issued by Interpol and implicated in a triple murder in Buenos Aires.
“The case involves three young women murdered in violent circumstances. Tony Valverde, a Peruvian citizen, is believed to be linked to international drug trafficking networks and is identified as the alleged mastermind behind the crime, while authorities coordinate his transfer to Argentine justice.”
If you are affected by this story and need support, contact Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222 or visit their website[3] to start an online chat and find more advice