Peruvian gang leader arrested in New York, U.S. agency says

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Peruvian gang leader was apprehended by U.S. immigration officials in New York on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on Thursday.

Homeland Security Investigations notified ICE's field office in Buffalo last month that the man, Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, 38, was wanted in Peru, the agency said.

ICE said Torres-Navarro was transferred to Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York, pending immigration proceedings.

ICE's online detainee locator did not list a legal representative for Torres-Navarro.

"Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous non-citizens," ICE Buffalo Field Office Director Thomas Brophy said in a statement.

The U.S. agency did not say what Torres-Navarro is wanted for in Peru. He is known as Gianfranco 23 in Peruvian media, in a reference to alleged victims.

He fled to the United States after allegedly killing a retired police officer, according to Peruvian media.

Torres-Navarro entered the United States at or near Roma, Texas, on May 16, according to ICE, where he was arrested and served with a notice to appear for immigration proceedings.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Sonali Paul)