Peru arrests ex-police chief, others on baby-trafficking charges

LIMA, (Reuters) - Peru’s former police chief Raul Becerra and a dozen others have been arrested for allegedly trafficking babies, the public prosecutor’s office said yesterday.

The gang, which authorities dubbed “the Soulless Human Traffickers,” preyed on poor pregnant women and persuaded them to give up their babies, the office added in a statement.

One five-month-old baby was rescued in an early Tuesday police raid on 18 properties in the southern city of Arequipa, officials said, adding that those arrested included Becerra and 13 others including a pediatrician and a gynecologist who were accused of being members of the criminal group.

Authorities said they believe Becerra’s romantic partner, Cintia Tello, was ringleader of the gang.