Five men found naked and bearing signs of torture in Puerto Rico have triggered a major murder investigation. Three bodies were discovered near a church in Carolina, east of San Juan, while two others were found under similar circumstances in Santurce. Authorities suspect a potential link to drug trafficking based on initial findings. All victims displayed comparable markings, with one identified as an 18-year-old male. Two bodies had bound hands, two showed gunshot wounds, and one had a severed finger. Police Superintendent Joseph Gonzalez emphasized the possibility of different angles in the case, despite the apparent drug-related nature of the crimes.
Investigators suspect that the Carolina victims were killed elsewhere, as they exhibited traces of sand and dirt. Gonzalez noted signs of dragging on the bodies and shell casings near the San Juan victims, emphasizing the unusual nature of such violence in Puerto Rico. The local Criminal Investigation Units affirmed an all-encompassing approach to the inquiry, leaving no stone unturned. Puerto Rico’s historical role as a drug transit point underscores the complexity of the situation. With a population of 3.2 million, the island has seen a decline in murders this year compared to the same period last year, amidst ongoing investigations and heightened vigilance.
