BTS are currently holding their “ARIRANG” world tour at San Marcos Stadium in Lima, Peru. This marks BTS’ first visit to Peru since their debut in 2013.
To celebrate the occasion, the Santiago de Surco district decided to temporarily rename Sacramento Street in the Surco area “BTS Avenue” for one week, from October 5 to 11, and installed signs to announce the change. A series of activities welcoming the members have also been prepared across downtown Lima.
With huge crowds expected to flock to Lima for BTS’ concerts, local universities proactively moved some clαѕѕes online. The Lima city government also deployed a large number of personnel to control traffic and ensure security, while extending public transportation operating hours to help concertgoers get home after the shows ended.
Despite the enthusiasm of local ARMYs and the authorities’ extensive preparations, several incidents still occurred around the first concert night. Most notably, Peruvian ρσℓι¢є arrested two foreign nationals who were allegedly preparing to produce and sell illegal ∂яυgs to people attending BTS’ concerts.
According to local media reports on October 7, the illegal substances were not found inside San Marcos Stadium but were discovered at an apartment in Cercado de Lima, just about one block away from the stadium. Police found synthetic ∂яυgs, a manual press along with several metal molds believed to be used to shape ecstasy pills, as well as a homemade firearm and multiple rounds of ammunition.
The two arrested individuals were identified as Juan Alejandro Galeano, 37, a Colombian national known by the alias “Colocho,” and Damián Joaquín Martín, a French national known as “Franchua.” Both are being investigated on suspicion of producing and trafficking ecstasy, while ρσℓι¢є believe they may have operated under the name “Los Reclutas del Crimen 2.”
According to PNP Colonel Roger Cano, head of the Theft Investigation Division, the apartment’s location near the stadium was one of the factors that led investigators to suspect that the ∂яυgs had been prepared for distribution around BTS’ concerts. He said the synthetic ∂яυgs may have been intended for younger consumers, including people attending the event or visitors coming to the city.
Police are also investigating Galeano over alleged links to crimes including contract кιℓℓing, the “gota a gota” loan-sharking scheme, and ∂яυg trafficking. Meanwhile, the confiscated firearm will undergo forensic examination because preliminary investigations suggest that it may have been used in the gold-bar robbery that took place in Costa Verde on March 22.
However, “Colocho’s” record is reportedly even more serious. The Colombian national had previously been subject to an international arrest warrant for extortion, and according to information from the PNP, he has a criminal record and alleged links to an organization considered a terrorist group in his home country.
"He is believed to be one of the most wanted fugitives in his country for homicide, illegal possession of firearms, prison escape, and involvement with 'La Cordillera,' a terrorist organization," Colonel Cano affirmed.
Following their arrest, Galeano and Martín were transferred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Dirincri) for further investigation. Authorities will work to establish each individual’s criminal responsibility and determine whether the confiscated ∂яυgs and weapons are connected to other criminal activities.
Meanwhile, BTS are continuing their “ARIRANG” world tour across Latin αмєяι¢α. After wrapping up their first concert at San Marcos University Stadium in Lima, Peru, on October 7, the group will hold two more shows at the same venue on October 9 and 10. The tour will then move to Santiago, Chile, on October 14, 16, and 17; Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 21, 23, and 24; and São Paulo, вяαzιℓ, on October 28, 30, and 31.
