2024-02-21 20:15:44
Today, agents of the National Civil Police (PNC) carried out the arrest of 6 adolescents, whose ages range between 12 and 15 years, in the municipality of Chalatenango. These arrests are in addition to those made last Sunday, totaling 8 individuals in police custody, according to the PNC.
Several of the detained teenagers were identified in videos on the TikTok platform “raffled off” for membership in the MS13 gang. After receiving complaints, police authorities began an investigation that revealed the existence of a group on social networks called “group cheros,” where young people bragged about their alleged affiliation with the MS13 and tried to recruit other teenagers to join the gang.
During the investigation process, incriminating evidence was found on the detainees’ phones, including indications of their membership in the MS13 and the adoption of aliases within the criminal organization.
In addition, complaints were received from other students who stated that these 8 young people demanded a financial fee from them under threats of violence.
The PNC emphasized the seriousness of the matter, recalling how in the 90s the gangs began as groups of young people who were not prosecuted due to their minority, which allowed their expansion and consolidation in the country. However, they assured that this time history will not repeat itself, and affirmed their determination not to tolerate any terrorist, regardless of his age.
The 8 teenagers will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, with the firm intention of preventing them from affecting the lives of new generations and preventing gangs from turning schools into a focus of violence and recruitment.