Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LivinginPeru News) -- Benedicto Jimenez, Director of Peru's National Penitentiary Institute (INPE in Spanish), stepped down from his position yesterday amid allegations that he sent classified information to one of Peru's biggest drug lords, Fernando Zevallos.

Peru's Justice Minister accepted Jimenez's resignation on Monday night and stated, "we thank him for his service and we appreciate his decision to step aside during the investigation."

Now that Jimenez has resigned, Jimenez will now be thoroughly investigated for allegedly sending drug kingpin Zevallos, an email with classified information regarding two undercover Peruvian officers working for the United States DEA.

Zevallos, who is currently in Prison, was the owner of the now inactive Aero Continente Airlines, one of Peru's largest airlines.

The Justice Minister stated that her agency will continue the investigation in a transparent manner.

"He (Jimenez) believes that he will be able to defend himself with greater transparency, impartiality, and without any interferences," commented Zavala.

Manuel Aguilar, currently Vice President of INPE, will step in to take over Jimenez's position on an interim basis.

"I have a clear conscious, like a new born baby, affirmed Jimenez.

Benedicto Jimenez shot to fame when men, under his guidance and leadership, caught Peru's most notorious terrorist, Abimael Guzman, leader of the Shining Path.

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