One grenade launcher, five assault rifles, five pistols, magazines, machine gunsbulletproof vests and more than 1,800 ammunition They were seized on Sunday, April 12 during a raid in the Las Tapias neighborhood, zone 18, reported the Ministry of the Interior.
According to the police report, during the operation in a property located on Rozanca Street, Las Delicias estate, two people accused of guarding the weapons, presumably members of Barrio 18, were arrested.
According to the National Division against the Criminal Development of Gangs (Dipanda), the arsenal would belong to the Master Dance Rap clique (MDR), directed by Edwin René Ramírez Iboy, alias “Crosty”, one of the 20 inmates who escaped from Fraijanes 2 prison in October 2025.
According to the Police, through investigation methods it was established that the weapons would be used in an attack against members of the Mara Salvatrucha or security forces.
He added that these proceedings are focused on the capture of the leaders of Barrio 18 who escaped six months ago.
“Thanks to anonymous complaints from citizens and through police intelligence from Dipanda investigators, it was possible to locate the place where the weapons were stored. In conjunction with the Prosecutor’s Office against the Crime of Extortion of the Public Ministry, the search procedure was carried out, where heavy-caliber firearms and other evidence were seized. Two people who were guarding said weapons, presumably members of the Barrio 18 gang, were seized at the location,” Dipanda said.
Investigations indicate that this structure operates in zone 18 and San Pedro Ayampuc, and that after the leader’s escape, armed attacks and actions against rival groups in those sectors have increased.
Who is Crosty?
According to police records, Ramírez Iboy has a record of illegal carrying of a firearm, illegal carrying of a knife, possession for consumption, scandal in public and other crimes related to violence.
He was also related to events such as homicide and participation in armed attacks, according to police intelligence information.
11 ringleaders remain at large
To date, eight have been recaptured, one died after escaping and 11 remain fugitivesaccording to the Ministry of the Interior, which offers Q150 thousand for information that leads to the whereabouts of the gang members, declared terrorists.
The gang members who are still at large are:
- Edwin René Ramírez Iboy
- Fernando Muñoz Sinar
- Kevin Amilear Ramos Aguilar
- Rudy Augusto Ortiz Morales
- Wilfredo Alfredo Monzón Paniagua
- Julio Cristóbal Gómez Lic
- Carlos Stuart Boch
- Wilson Stivenson Mereira Aristondo
- Gerson Alexander Osorio Herrera
- Esvin Estuardo Herrera Ardiano
- Carlos Augusto Aguilar Escobar