FBI and Chilean police take down international gang of thieves

Johnny Fica, head of the police's money and asset laundering division, speaks during a press conference in Santiago, Chile, April 30, 2025. Chilean Police/Handout via Reuters

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean police forces, aided by the FBI, took down an international gang of thieves that carried out robberies in the United States, authorities said on Wednesday.

The raid, codenamed "Operation Pennsylvania," took place across dozens of homes in Santiago on Tuesday night and led to the arrests of 23 people and seizure of 1.3 billion pesos ($1.36 million) worth of goods and real estate, according to police.